Decorating Dilemma: Polish brings out the best in brass.

Q: I hope you can help me. I have original brass handles on our dresser. But now they have become tarnished and discolored, very dark. Is there any way in which to return them to the original brass color, nice and bright?

A: It's worth the effort to shine up original hardware, especially on old furniture of value. Newly polished hardware and a quick rub with scratch-cover oil can do wonders for a timeworn piece. The alternative, buying new hardware, can be expensive and never quite match the piece's style and fittings, requiring you to drill new holes. Worse, changing hardware on a good antique will cut its value.

Try this to restore your brass:

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