Remove Old Paint From Hardware - EASY!
by
Lauren Z
2 Materials
30 Minutes
Easy
Old hardware typically has a lot of character . . . and lots of layers of old paint! Here is an easy, chemical-free method that will remove layers and layers of paint in just minutes!
Part of the fun of this is that you never know what details will be revealed once the paint is gone. These pulls were on a dresser I was making over and before discarding or replacing, I wanted to see exactly what I had.
Begin by purchasing an old pan from your local thrift store. You will not want to use this pot for any cooking afterwards! Fill the bottom of the pan with baking soda, enough to press your hardware into. You don't need to bury the pieces though.
Fill your pot with enough water so the hardware is completely submerged in the water.
Bring your pot to a boil and then lower to simmer. Allow the water to simmer 20-30 minutes. Keep an eye on your pot -- you don't want the water to dissipate. If the water evaporates, keep adding water to keep the pieces submerged and simmering.
Using tongs, carefully remove the hardware to an old towel or rag and let cool until you can handle them. Now the fun part! Just begin rubbing with your fingers (Think removing school glue from your fingers as a kid!). The paint will easily pull right off! If there are little nooks and crannies where paint remains, just take a stiff brush (again, not one you would use with food afterward) and brush. The paint will easily come right off.
Just look at all of the beautiful details revealed! If the paint is particularly stubborn, you may have to do a second 'bath' but I've never had that happen -- it's always come off the first time. So before you pitch those old pulls and hinges, give this a try and see what you really have!
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Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
I never realized it could be so easy!!! Does this work on all hardware? Or is it specific to metal?