Brass beds add a decorative element to any bedroom with their bright mirror-like shine. If you have a brass bed that has been previously painted over, you can restore it to the original condition with some effort. The process requires that you soften and dissolve all of the old paint and then thoroughly clean the brass. Although the right products speed up the job, the many crevices on the bed make the process tedious.
Instructions
1. Remove all bedding and mattresses from the brass bed and disassemble it, if possible. Move the bed to an outdoor location or to a garage. Spread a tarp over the floor or ground and set the brass bed on top of it.
2. Put on disposable rubber gloves and safety glasses. Open a can of paint stripper that is safe for use on metal.
3. Dip a paintbrush into the paint stripper solution and apply it to all surfaces of the brass bed to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Apply the mixture in single brush strokes, and do not brush back and forth once it is applied.
4. Wait 20 to 30 minutes, and then scrape off the paint stripper using a plastic putty knife. Start at the top of the bed posts, and scrape downward to avoid getting the material on you.
5. Clean the paint from any small crevices using a nylon tooth brush and moving it in circular motions.
6. Turn on a garden hose and spray the entire brass bed thoroughly with water to remove all traces of the paint stripper. If desired, you can hand-wash the bed with a non-abrasive sponge and a bucket of plain water.
7. Wipe the entire brass bed dry using a soft cloth to prevent water spots from developing on the brass.
8. Open a bottle of brass polish and scoop up 1 to 2 tbsp. using a clean, non-abrasive cloth. Apply the polish to the brass and move the cloth in circular motions to create a high shine. Continue rubbing until the polish is completely gone and then move on to another section of the brass. Continue polishing until the entire bed shines.
