Baby, it’s cold (and wet) outside! That means it’s time to pack away all the tools from summer’s outdoor jobs and start (or continue) working on those indoor projects. A question we repeatedly hear from our customers is: How do I remove old paint from doorknobs [hinges, escutcheons, etc.]? Lucky for you, we have an easy, environmentally-friendly, and Hippo-Approved®™ method for restoring your old fixtures to their previous grandeur. So, light the fire, make a cup of hot cocoa (don’t forget the marshmallows), and get ready to make the inside of your home sparkle like it was meant to.
Removing Paint From Metal—Boil If Off!
We love this method because it’s gentle on the environment (no harsh chemicals), as well as your hands (and hoofed hippopotamus feet). This method works best on solid, metal parts (think escutcheons, rosettes, hinges, and switch plate covers, strike plates, to name a few).
Bring baking soda and water to a boil (use 1/4 cup baking soda per quart of water). Carefully place the items in the boiling water. Watch for any signs of paint starting to bubble from the object (this process can take up to 15 minutes or more). Remove the object from the boiling water using tongs and place the object on a towel. Wearing heat-resistant gloves, carefully scrape, rub, and/or brush the paint from the metal, using rags and/or an old toothbrush. Be careful not to use anything too abrasive, as you can damage the metal with anything other than soft, nylon bristles. Repeat the boiling process, as necessary, to remove all the paint. Use a polishing cloth when done, for that special, just-made-something-old-look-new-again sparkle and shine!
Watch how the magic works in this video by This Old House:
Our UL certified lighting repair shop may be able to help! We offer lighting repair and restoration for a variety of both residential and commercial projects.
Hey there, folks! We've got some news to share that will make you do a happy dance. Brace yourselves, because we are not closing this year! Yeah, you heard it right. The rumors might have been swirling around, but let us clear the air. We're here to stay!
Hippo Hardware
February 13, 2022
Hello, Midge!
We may be interested. Please send photos to hippohardware@gmail.com and we’ll be happy take a look. Thank you!