We strip and refurbish metal hardware, then spray-finish it with a clear coating especially designed to cover metal (to retard the tarnishing process). The trick is not to polish the trim too brightly. We polish the hardware (including the screws!) just enough to restore the shine, but not enough to make it look like new hardware. Consistent with restoration principles, this method preserves enough of the aged patina so that the hardware blends with the aged beauty of the wood.

But, of course, when we remove hardware, we often discover that the screw holes have been stripped. We refill and redrill screw holes so the hardware can be reattached firmly and function smoothly.