Interior railing help!

coldstart · 12-30-2012, 04:12 PM

Hi, I know that this is not a home interior DIY forum but was hoping someone would have some insight into my problem.

I am looking for some ideas to refinish/paint a brass coated staircase railing. The railing is approximately 75 feet long as it extends upstairs, downstairs and along the upper floor.

The brass coating has faded and looks poor after 25 years of use. No local shop will touch it to re-coat the brass. We are willing to have the railing taken apart and off to be re-coated in-house. The quotes so far have varied between totals of $15,000 to $30,000 but none have actually been able to refinish a test piece of railing (the lower pieces are easily removable).

Another option is to paint the railing black. Anybody have any idea how this will look? Can they achieve a smooth finish? Will it look and feel right?

The last option is to get a whole new railing system. Given the size of the railing, we would prefer not to do this as we like the glass and the look of the current railing.

Options? Anyone have any experience with interior railings?

P.S. the carpet is also going..................Is anyone able to photoshop the railing black and the carpet light beige?

chapo · 12-30-2012, 04:24 PM

Powdercoat it if its removable.

herr_oberst · 12-30-2012, 04:25 PM

powdercoat.

beat me to it.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Yup, take it all out, have it blasted and black powder coated if those glass pieces were all etched, it would look even better....

Reg · 12-30-2012, 04:41 PM

Where are you Coldstart? There is a place near me called Riverside Brass. Did you try them?

HardDrive · 12-30-2012, 10:23 PM

I think brass looks dated. But it depends on your taste. If you going to keep the existing system, have it carefully disassembled and power coated in a moderate tone that matches your style. Light tans or gray. Protect the glass.

Really a nice space. Both grand and intimate.

drcoastline · 12-31-2012, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I think brass looks dated. But it depends on your taste. If you going to keep the existing system, have it carefully disassembled and power coated in a moderate tone that matches your style. Light tans or gray. Protect the glass.

Really a nice space. Both grand and intimate.

I agree with hardDrive that really is a very nice entrance. Shiny brass and etched glass is very dated. If I were going to keep the existing railing system I think I would powder coat it in white. But, based on the estimates you are getting to refinish the existing brass. You could probably get a new railing system installed similar to the below photos for similar money. Most everything is off the shelf. I don't particulary care for the posts in the attached photos I would use something more stout. Other than that I think they make for a classic grand entrance.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Nice entry, but the brass and glass looks very commercial. From the photo it could almost be a hotel stairway. I would forget the brass and warm it up with some wood as in the post above.

dennis in se pa · dennis in se pa's Garage

Brass and glass dated?
And the next thing you hear is that everything old is new again.
I personally am bored to death of seeing oak handrails with spindles.
This is not a project that has to be done now.
I would keep looking until you find someone who can return this to it's original majesty.

coldstart · 12-31-2012, 07:39 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions and compliments.

Reg, I am located somewhat near you (we met when I bought a muffler from you over 5 years ago) and I will contact Riverside Brass (not Riverside Brasserie in Cambridge which came up when I Googled Riverside Brass). Thanks for the tip!

coldstart · 12-31-2012, 07:41 AM

Some additional pictures:

flatbutt · 12-31-2012, 08:26 AM

IMHO it's not that the brass is outdated, it just seems cold and less than inviting for personal space. I do love wood but the idea of powder coating with something softer than shiny brass is appealing.

Reg · 12:52 PM

They are located in New Hamburg and have a website.

As far as Brass being dated that may be so, but IMHO, it is brass so it would be a shame to cover it up. Remeber what comes around goes around. The Wrought Iron look was big in the 70's and now it is back.

I can tell you (as I am in the wood business) if you replace that system with wood the cost would be a small fortune. Use what you have in some way would be my choice.

That muffler was the Bursch, right? It had a nice sound.

drcoastline · 12-31-2012, 12:18 PM

It looks like the brass was clear coated and is chipping off. That being the case. have the coating stripped off and just polish the brass. If it is not re-coated it will require constant attention but can be brought back to a shine regularly.