A Simple Way to Clean Hardware Before Painting

Re-Picks
by Re-Picks
3 Materials
$7
30 Minutes
Easy

There are several ways to clean something up to get it ready for paint. But here’s a way I found most effective!

After removing your hardware, put them in a sink or bucket. What ever you have around that will hold the hardware and allow you to apply an even coat of Krud Kutter.

Thoroughly spray Krud Kutter all over the hardware-front and back! Make sure every little area gets sprayed. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes.

With the Krud Kutter still on the hardware, use Dawn dish soap and a toothbrush to start scrubbing.

Use the toothbrush to scrub every part of the hardware. The Krud Kutter should have loosened up and build up and the soap and tooth brush will help remove it completely.

When finish scrubbing, rinse with warm water. Make sure any soap or cleaner is rinsed off.

Now lay out to dry! Make sure to lay out spaced apart, not one on top of another. You could lay on a towel too. It was hot day out so I laid them outside.

if drying inside, overnight should be long enough.

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Frequently asked questions
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  1 question
  • Jan Jan on Sep 07, 2021

    Have you ever tried Naval Gel to clean your hardware? It’s wonderful.

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 4 comments
  • Katen Katen on Sep 06, 2021

    Thanks for the reminder to clean hardware. Makes a difference. I’ve used with great success placing in old crockpot overnight with a bit of dawn. Crud, paint and grease just falls off

    • Aggie Aggie on Aug 28, 2023

      This sounds interesting and easy. Do you add water also?

  • Katen Katen on Aug 28, 2023

    Oh yes. Learned trick from tv. Just plop in old crock pot cover with water turn on low overnight and viola clean in morning grease free and maybe light brushing with old toothbrush for stubborn spots. I do not recommend using crockpot you cook meals in so borrow neighbors! (Kidding). Readily available for less than cost of chemicals at goodwill, garage sales etc. used on daughters hardware and so. In law was impressed

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