Finally found a trick for getting paint off old hinges without stripping them

I spent 45 minutes scrubbing a single hinge with citrus stripper and a wire brush before a guy on my crew said to just drop them in a crockpot of water and dish soap overnight. Has anyone else tried this or have a better method that won't destroy the original patina?

3 comments

3 Comments

lindag3325d ago

My neighbor told me about the crockpot method two years ago and I tried it on a set of 1930s cabinet hinges. Soaked them for 8 hours with a squirt of Dawn and they came out perfectly clean with the dark patina still intact. Just make sure you dry them fast and apply a light oil or they'll flash rust overnight.

keith90025d ago

You seen the trick where people add a little baking soda to the water? I read something about it helping to soften the gunk even more, especially on old painted hardware. I've done the crockpot method a few times myself and that flash rust is no joke. I keep a rag with some mineral oil right next to me ready to wipe them down as soon as they come out. It's wild how fast that rust can show up, sometimes within an hour if you don't get them bone dry.

mia70025d ago

Wait, you've actually tried the baking soda trick? Because I've heard mixed things about it, some people say it can mess with the patina on really old cast iron or brass if you leave it too long. I'm all for softening the gunk but I'm paranoid about stripping that old finish, you know? My grandmother had a whole set of those painted hinges from the 1920s and I'd be TERRIFIED to put baking soda anywhere near them. Is it just a pinch or are you dumping a whole cup in there? I need to know the exact ratio because I've got a pile of door knobs that look like they've been through a war and I'm scared to ruin them.