painting a brass bed

The clear finish on my brass bed has rubbed off in parts and the brass is rough and a greenish color. How do I clean it, and is it possible, or a good idea to paint it white. If so what kind of preparation do I need to do to the brass and what kind of paint do I use?

 

Your finish (a lacquer that is applied to protect the brass) can be removed using the following formula:
1 cup baking soda to 2 gallons boiling water. Soak the metal as best you can in this solution until it cools. Now you can peel off the lacquer. (Because you may not beable to soak the piece you may have to repeat in areas.) Once this is done you can have it relacquered or polish it. The green on the metal is verdigris, the natural patina of brass, bronze and copper. This is a most desired finish.
If you want to polish the brass you can use the following formula: make a paste from 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon flour, and 1 tablespoon vinegar. Apply the paste with a soft cloth and rub. You may also dip a cut lemon in salt and rub it on the brass. Wash the object in warm soapsuds and buff it dry to bring up the shine. After your done, why not try living with it o'natualle? If you still don't like it, there are spray paints made just for metal, like Rust-oleum.

 

Gini is right on target. In addition to the 'made for metal' paint, however, I would add a good metal primer.