Asked on Feb 25, 2015
Can you strip bright shiny brass to chrome?
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Has anyone had success stripping a shiny brass shower door to a chrome? I know ours is plated because I have a small spot that mildew cleaner hit and spotted it. I was just wondering if this can be done and it look ok to save money instead of having to buy another custom made glass shower enclosure. We have recently started redoing the metal finishes in our house to update it from the shiny brass to a brushed nickel.
Section of current Brass shower enclosure
11 answers
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I've stripped a brass ceiling fan down to the silver metal underneath using a drill with a wire brush attachment. The easier thing to do would be to just use Epoxy appliance paint in stainless steel though, it is water resistant & very durable.
Katrina Warren
on Feb 25, 2015
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Seems like it would be an 'iffy' outcome since I believe chrome is a surface finish itself. I would do a lot of research before trying to strip brass. I am thinking it would be just bare metal underneath if it's not solid brass. Have you considered Rustoleum paint to cover the existing finish? I'm sure you'll get some professional advice from this site. Good luck. Oh - Just FYI - Gold and brass are the latest trend for 2015!! :)
Cindy Richmond
on Feb 25, 2015
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..You CAN spray paint right over that finish, without removing it. You will need to scuff it up a little, clean it, and then you can paint. I have painted bath hardware, and I suggest you check out this post, http://simpledetailsblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/painted-faucets-shower-enclosure.html. It has details on the ' how -to'....and if your shower enclosure can be taken off , and done outdoors or in a garage....all the better. :)
Shelby @ The Weathered Barn Studio
on Feb 25, 2015
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How's the durability on that?
Norma
on Feb 25, 2015
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I have heard you can chemically strip brass plating using acid although I'm not certain which acid but I wonder what the look of the metal underneath would be. Being the metal was intended to be plated there maybe defects unforeseen until the plating is removed. Personally I would lightly sand the plated areas and use a hammered looking paint. I have used Rustoleum hammer look paint on several old exterior light fixtures in an effort to match the existing antique units where replacements were impossible to find. They came out very nice and matched the originals very well. Just a thought Oh, if you do go that route, stay away from the faux chrome spray paints, They dull very easily and clear coating them simply expedites the process.
D & K
on Feb 26, 2015
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Shiny brass is making a comeback according to some décor sources. Have only recently been able to get brass taps for one of my half baths.
Marion Nesbitt
on Feb 27, 2015
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If you like the appearance of the spot left by the mildew cleaner, why not just wipe the whole thing with it - sounds like it did an exceptional job removing the brass plate with no scrubbing/sanding. If you don't like the appearance after doing it, then you could get some chrome paint (or get creative) and paint it, because it won't be chrome underneath.
Cheryl
on Feb 27, 2015
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I've read posts where people applied oven cleaner to give it a dull silver look. Much better than the brass
SJazz
on Feb 27, 2015
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My solution was painstaking, but it was worth all the prep time. First, I covered all the tile, flooring and glass doors with newspapers (taping them together). I used blue painter's tape around the areas I wanted changed out from bright shiny brass to a satin finish. I sanded the brass down a bit, then used Rust-O-Ium spray paint (Satin silver). I even did this for the controls for the shower. After 6 years, it still looks great.
Nanci Roden Mooney
on Oct 14, 2016
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Another solution would be is to find a brass spray paint and fix the spot. Yes you can use Rustoleum spray paint, but it is very messy even with preparation. If you choose to do that make sure the room is well ventilated.
Dee
on Oct 14, 2016
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Chrome is the last layer plated so you cannot strip brass and have a chrome finish. Most showers are not chromed and can have a thin anodized finish appearing brass. You might be able to strip the anodized surface but getting it to look like anything shiny like chrome won't happen. There are some auto accessory tapes that are pretty waterproof that you might be able to tone down the brass glow with a color that might compliment your bathroom.
Jane Briggs
on Nov 07, 2016
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