An antique fireplace screen can be functional as well as attractive, but it does need some special care to maintain it. The following tips will help you clean and maintain your screen to ensure that it will last for years to come.
Clean Your Screen
For brass and cast iron screens, consider the following:
Brass- There are several mild alternatives for cleaning and maintaining this kind of screen. Using lemon juice and salt on a sponge will help you remove stains from the brass. Use small, round circles to gently clean the spots. Also, rubbing alcohol and a soft, non-metal scrubbing sponge will help with tougher stains. A low-abrasion cleaner such as Soft Scrub can also work when used with a damp sponge.
Cast Iron Metal- This kind of screen will require a soft cleanser or sometimes a fine grain sandpaper to remove rust.
Polish and Oil the Screen
Metal screens should be rubbed with a yellow oil to maintain the finish. Do not use too much oil or smear it on the metal. It should be rubbed into the metal. After oiling, use a soft cloth to buff the metal to a shine or a smooth finish.
Refinish for a Great Look
An antique fire screen made of brass is generally finished with a coat of lacquer. If the lacquer is cracked or broken on the screen, remove it with acetone. This is available at your drugstore. Polish the screen, then remove any remaining polish with more acetone. After it dries, spray or brush with metal lacquer.
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