Restoring Antique Rusty Hardware – Refinishing Tips & Tricks
Restoring old rusty hardware may seem like an overwhelming or even fruitless endeavor, but with the right approach, even the most oxidized and weathered peices can be brought back to life.
I found an old door latch and a few pieces of furniture hardware at an antique co-op. The latch is the right size and shape for the newly restored garden storage doors and the furniture hardware should coordinate nicely with the originals on the dresser in the Pink Room. At first glance, all of these pieces might appear beyond saving, but with a little knowledge and the right tools, they can look new again.
The restoration process is not a difficult or expensive one, however, it does require patience and precision. Care must taken to avoid damaging the surface as decades of tarnish and decay are scrubbed away. It can take a few minutes or several days to complete, depending on the amount of build-up and rust present. Be patient and continue working until all signs of rust and decay have been removed completely.
Step-by-step Metal Restoration
Before beginning any restoration project, gather as much information as possible. The US General Services Administration has Historic Preservation Guidelines on a wide variety of topics. For this project, I referenced several guides including: Removing Paint from Wrought Iron, Cast Iron and Steel Using Abrasive Methods, Removing Paint from Wrought Iron, Cast Iron and Steel Using Chemical Methods, and Primers and Paints for Wrought Iron, Cast Iron, and Steel. There is also a thermal method that uses heat, however, I have not found this method to be effective and/or worth considering when refinishing metals.
Begin by carefully removing the built-up debris, paint, and corrosion with the assistance of chemical rust and/or paint removers, wire brushes, steel wool and fine-grit sandpaper. I used Klean-Strip Concrete and Metal Prep because it doesn’t create pitting in the metal like “Naval Jelly” can. Pour a generous amount of liquid into a container so that the rusty areas can be coated, soaked and scrubbed repeatedly until clean.
As the original finish is revealed, you may be tempted to think the metal is clean. Be patient and continue to clean the metal until no signs of rust or corrosion remain and the metal has a white appearance. The metal in the image to the right may appear clean, but close examination reveals a brownish cast, indicating rust is still present.
The images below are rust and debris-free with no bown, red or yellow tones, just bare metal.
This is the clean hardware latch before finishing. Because this will be installed outdoors and exposed to the elements, it is not recommended to leave the metal untreated. It will be primed and painted to match the hinges. Each restoration project tells a unique story, connecting us to the past while allowing us to appreciate the craftsmanship of yesteryears. Whether it’s a vintage drawer pull or a classic gate latch, every piece has its own charm waiting to be uncovered and restored. Embrace the journey of restoration, and you may discover as I have, that the process itself is as rewarding as the finished product. Check back to see how the latch looks after it has been finished and installed on the garden storage doors.