How resurface metal table top?

Judith2

Hi,

This little table has been through the wars!

The brass surface has worn away (the underlying metal might be steel) and there are drink stains that don't wash off - these feel a bit rough to the touch, so they may have eaten into the brass surface.

How can I clean it and resurface it back to its original brass like appearance?Thank you.

Judith

JacobZ

Hi @Judith2,

Most items like this are electroplated with a very thin layer of brass over a base metal such as steel. This plating is only microns thick, so once it wears through or is eaten away by spills, there is no practical way to restore it back to its original condition without completely re-plating the surface. Unfortunately, that process requires specialised equipment and is not something that can be done at home.

You can certainly improve the surface by giving it a good clean first. Use a mild cleaner and a soft cloth to remove any dirt or residue then use some https://www.bunnings.com.au/brasso-250ml-metalware-polish_p4465767 to bring back some of the shine. If the staining and roughness are still present, unfortunately, the only real option is to sand it back, which will invariably remove the brass plating.

To get it back to a brass-like appearance, the most practical option is to refinish the top rather than trying to restore the original coating. After cleaning and lightly sanding, you could apply a metal primer followed by a brass finish spray paint such as this https://www.bunnings.com.au/white-knight-300g-super-brass-satin-spray-paint_p1566039 . These are designed to give a uniform metallic look and are much easier than trying to replace the surface.

Otherwise, if you were looking to restore it back to the original electroplated look, then you may have to look into having it refinished by a business that has the facilities for electroplating with brass.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob