How do I refinish 3 foot Stiffel "brass" lamp?

Andrea
by Andrea

Bought it 48 years ago thinking it was solid.Great sentimental value. Bought factory replacement shade.Went to professional. More than $450+. Says its brass over zinc(?)Alternative?/ Solution? New tapestry shade so need something classy looking.Was planning on gift of heirloom. Thank you. Andrea

  5 answers
  • Cindy Rubin Cindy Rubin on Mar 23, 2019

    Andrea... my mom passed recently and left me 2 Stiffel lamps like that! Will you let me know the replies you get... looks like mom just kept adding cleaner or wax over and over because it's all stuck in the small detailed features.

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    • William William on Mar 24, 2019

      Not mayo for brass.....ketchup. Only if it's tarnished. For intricate designs like book ends, sculptures, etc. I use white toothpaste and a damp toothbrush for items I sell on Ebay. For larger tarnished items a dab of toothpaste on a damp cloth.

  • Andrea Andrea on Mar 23, 2019

    Will do.

  • William William on Mar 23, 2019

    Rustoleum 2X spray paint for metal. Scuff up the surface, Wipe well. Spray paint. Several light coats will give you a smooth finish.

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    • Lottie Crafts Lottie Crafts on Mar 24, 2019

      Thatā€™s what I did with a lamp my mother in law gave me. I didnā€™t like the brass not my style so I use my Dremel and several different tips to sand it. Then paint dyed the shade.

  • Cristine Meixner Cristine Meixner on Mar 23, 2019

    Are you trying to restore the original brass finish? If so use brass cleaner and elbow grease.

    • Andrea Andrea on Mar 23, 2019

      I' tried the Brasso originally but apparently that's when I found out they're not solid.

      So they have to be stripped then re-electroplated(?) argh

  • William William on Mar 23, 2019

    Use a green kitchen scrubby to scuff the surface for paint. No need to take it apart. Tape off what your don't want painted with blue painters tape. Then just several light coats of spray paint. All metallic colors available. Brasso removes some of the metal. I remember ROTC in high school and Air Force.