Lower your brass into the boiling solution carefully, using tongs or tweezers to minimize the risk of burns.
If you do remove it from heat, you can place it under cool or room-temperature water to cool it down.
If this is not enough to strip your brass of all of its lacquer, you may continue repeating these steps until it has all peeled away.
If you use glass, make sure it is a thick, sturdy glass. If you use metal, be aware that the metal may tarnish.
Once you have placed the mixture into your bowl, coat your brass item with it to encourage the fire to burn away the lacquer.
Do not use a regular matchstick or cigarette lighter, as both require you to be dangerously close to the flammable solution.
If you use cool water, the brass may cool faster, but you also run the risk of warping and staining. Room temperature water will cool the metal without damaging it.
If you do not have a well-ventilated room, take your project outside to a yard, porch, or balcony. Avoid using solvents indoors whenever possible.
Paint dropcloths also work well, and are usually thick and durable enough to withstand the caustic nature of varnish removers.
Covering your mouth and nose is particularly important if you do not have access to an outdoor space or well-ventilated area.
To apply the lacquer remover, simply place a paintbrush into the remover and apply it directly to the brass. Make sure you do not leave behind any of the brush’s bristles, as these may interfere with the remover’s efficacy. If your brass piece has a lot of small nooks and crannies, you can use a bottle brush or small rag to access hard-to-reach spaces.
To reach hard-to-reach spots, you may want to enlist the help of a second brush to remove varnish.
