Cleaning furniture hardware may seem like a trivial task, but it's a crucial step in ensuring your furniture restoration project turns out beautifully. Over the years, I've experimented with various methods, and through trial and error, I've found a technique that never fails to deliver outstanding results. I have to admit, I almost never use the fusion products that I sell for painting hardware. Why you ask? I mean Fusion products work Great for painting hardware, it adheres wonderfully to metal and dries rock hard but I'm just too LAZY and I Like a quick fix! That is the honest TRUTH!
In this guide, I'll walk you through my step-by-step process, including my favorite cleaning product and the painting method I swear by.
**1. Gather Your Supplies:** Before diving into the cleaning process, gather all the necessary supplies: -
Barkeeper's Friend (my holy grail cleaning product)
Container for soaking -
Toothbrush -
Soft cloth -
Spray paint in your desired color -
Cardboard box with punched holes
**2. Remove Hardware:**
Start by carefully removing the hardware from your furniture piece. Separate the screws from the knobs or handles to ensure thorough cleaning.
**3. Clean with Barkeeper's Friend:** Fill a container with water and soak the knobs or handles. Apply a small amount of Barkeeper's Friend onto a toothbrush and begin scrubbing the hardware, focusing on areas with stubborn buildup. After scrubbing, return the hardware to the soaking container.
**4. Rinse and Dry:** Once all the hardware pieces are cleaned, rinse them thoroughly under running water. Wipe them down with a soft cloth to remove excess water, paying attention to avoid water buildup in screw holes.
