How to Restore Brass with Corrosion and Paint

Remove any lacquer coating on the brass item to expose the underlying tarnish. To do this, remove all hardware from the brass item, paint it with lacquer remover and remove the residue with a steel wool pad. Another option is to boil the hardware for five minutes in a pot of water with 2 teaspoons each of baking soda and washing soda.

Remove any remaining paint on the brass item using a commercial paint stripper. Follow the directions on the paint stripper to determine how to apply the stripper and how long to leave it on. Remove the excess paint and stripper residue with a steel wool pad.

Apply commercial brass cleaner to the item or pour white vinegar over it, followed by a sprinkling of salt. Allow the cleaner to sit for 5 minutes, then rinse the item. If corrosion remains, reapply the cleaner and gently scrub the item with a steel wool pad. Rinse the item when all the corrosion has been removed.

Polish the brass with a commercial brass polish or the juice of one lemon mixed with 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Gently work the polish into the brass, using a soft cloth. Wipe the item with a clean, damp cloth to remove residue and allow it to dry.

Spray the brass item or hardware with a thin coat of lacquer to prevent future corrosion and to allow the natural metal to show through.