MTFCA Forum

Planning on using a paint stripper to remove what appears to be a lacquer finish on brass lamps before polishing.
I've used paint stripper on furniture but never on brass.
Any issues or cautions I should be aware of?
Is there a better way?

Richard:
A while back a lot of the lamps out there were coated with a baked on clear plastic that regular stripper wouldn't touch. I found that CRC gasket remover from the auto parts store worked. I have no connection with CRC products it was the only thing that I found to strip the plastic, or lacquer I'm sure there is other strippers.

If you're reasonably certain that it IS lacquer, then just use good old lacquer thinner! I'd try a small, rather inconspicuous spot first just to be sure, but I'd bet it'll turn out fine. That brass can take quite a bit of "punishment", short of 60 grit sandpaper! Give it a whirl and keep us posted. I've done this before on brass that I too, made the mistake of "sealing" with lacquer, only to find out that the brass will still slowly turn to a tarnish even beneath the lacquer. I only have the windshield brackets on the firewall and bolts on my '11 Torpedo lacquered at the moment. The rest of that car and the '13 are void of any sealers on the brass at all. And I don't mind polishing. It's good therapy.

There was a discussion in recent months where someone wanted to strip clear lacquer from some lamps. I can't find the post but I think the solution was to soak the lamps in vinegar. The lacquer came off in sheets. Or, am I having a senior moment? I will keep looking for the post.

Found it.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22606&p=174135&hili ... ss#p174135

If true lacquer, I think ammonia does a pretty good job on it.

I had this same challenge about a year ago. Mr. Tom Zimmer of the Horseless Carriage Club instructed me to go to Costco, buy vinegar in bulk, pour it in a lobster pot, put it on the stove, and bring it to almost a boil. I soaked my clear-coated brass in there and the coating came off almost immediately in big sheets. I used a lightweight brass bristle toothbrush to pull it out of the nooks and crannies. Nothing else has ever work this easily. Thank you Tom.