Ribbons Bows

How can I easily remove the lacquer sealant from an antique brass tray?

I need to remove the lacquer in order to restore & polish a beautiful brass tray that is 36 inches in diameter. I've tried Brasso, rubbing compounds, paint remover and an electric drill! Is there a chemical remover that removes the laquer coating?

If you're trying to increase the value of your antique brass tray, you should know that most dealers consider "polishing" old brass one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. The money is in the patina, or the years of wear accumulated. If you were looking upon this as an investment, you have probably decreased the value to almost nil. There are professional restorers out there that could have avoided this.

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