Learn the simple trick to easily removing paint from hardware: no sanding, scrubbing, or scraping required!
Do you watch Rehab Addict on the DIY Network? It’s my new favorite show, I mean I’m seriously addicted! On the show Nicole Curtis meticulously restore old homes true to their period details, I love it. It’s one of the very few shows both my hubby and I watch together, it’s our dream to one day restore and old home!
Well, a few weeks ago I was watching and Nicole gave the best tip ever. Seriously a life changer! She showed how to easily remove paint from hardware using a crockpot! I had to try it out for myself!
I found some old hardware caked with pain at my local ReStore. I tossed them in an old crockpot I had hoarded away in my garage (don’t judge me!)
I filled the crockpot with water until the hardware was completely covered and replaced the lid. I set the crockpot to low and left it overnight. When I opened the crockpot the next morning I could already see that the paint had dissolved a bit in the water.
When I picked up the hardwarethe paint was literally falling off the hardware!! How awesome is that? It just peeled right off in about two seconds, no scrubbing, no scraping!
I will never strip paint off hardware any other way, this was totally easier than any other method! I hope you enjoyed this tip!
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bobb Kri says
After boiling painted hinges And door knobs place in ice bath. Watch it fall o
Judi says
A much easier way to remove old painted hardware hinges a all. I use an old mansion jar, place all the hardware you need to clean in it , put formulas 409 the cleaner sold in the supermarket. Put the lid on thr jar I let it sit over night and when you are ready to replace the knobs and hinges the old paint just falls off.
dianne elliott says
do you set the crockpot on low. can you do this method for glass knobs. they are from my grandmothers hoosier cabinet
Melissa says
Yes Dianne, the crock pot is set on low!
Theresa Scholtz says
WOW! Great idea! See, how handy that you had that old crock pot lurking about! Proof that it’s not hoarding, it’s just…keeping until you need it! 😀
Vidya @ Whats Ur Home Story says
That’s a neat trick. Will keep in mind when I come across old hardware at thrift stores.
Sabrina says
I love that show too. When I saw that episode bout the crockpot, I thought that was so great! “Set it and forget it style of stripping paint”. Cool!
Melissa Riker says
I just had to try it out when I heard it Sabrina, I was so pleased it worked as well as she said!
lzai says
This method works well if there’s only one layer of paint and it’s not ancient. I tried it on some hardware in my very old house and one layer came off but the under layer stayed put and was much harder to remove.
Melissa Riker says
While I haven’t tried it I have heard that if you have some stubborn paint to add some laundry detergent to the crockpot and heat overnight…have you tried that?
jb @BuildingMoxie says
I love this tip … just haven’t had the opportunity to try it yet.
Melissa Riker says
I had to try it out when I heard it JB, such a time saver!! Thanks for stopping by!
cassie says
this is a great idea! i need a separate crock pot for it. i don’t think chris wants his salsa chicken mixed up accidentally with hardware. 😉
i have used the boil it with baking soda method and that works well, too if you need to do it quickly.
Melissa Riker says
Exactly Cassie, this is when my hoarding came in handy since I had an old nasty crockpot in the garage! I’ll have to try the boil with baking soda method next time, I hadn’t heard of that one!
Barb G. says
I saw that episode of rehab addict too. My husband says that boiling water with vinegar will work quickly, but it’s been 20 minutes and I can’t stand the smell ! Have you ever heard of that method? Lucky for me , I also have an old crock pot in my cupboard . I’m going with that method.
Melissa Riker says
I haven’t tried that Barb-I’ll give it a go next time to compare!!
Patty says
I love that show too. I am always amazed at what she does. She is no bigger than a minute but very, very mighty. I plan to use that tip the next time I do something over.
Melissa Riker says
I totally agree Patty-she does amazing work revitalizing houses that most people would just dismiss and knock down!