Umbrella holders are an important household accessory for organizing and storing wet umbrellas, and for keeping driveways safe by helping to keep floors dry. Umbrella holders can also serve as an attractive decorative accent to the lobby or entryway and make an important first impression on visitors. While umbrella stands can be constructed of any material, solid brass and copper umbrella stands have the benefit of excellent corrosion resistance, durability, and beauty. During the 1970s and early 1980s, brass and copper umbrella holders were a popular decorative accent for homeowners, with imported brass umbrella holders from England, Italy, and India topping the list. Today, these stalls can be found at yard sales, antique stores, and online for a fraction of their original cost. Many of these vintage umbrella holders can be restored to their original beauty using simple techniques.
Is my umbrella stand solid brass or plated brass?
Brass or silver-plated copper umbrella holders can be difficult to refinish because the finish is simply a thin layer of brass or copper applied over sheet steel. Once the fine plated finish has rusted or corroded, the underlying steel material is exposed, leaving the finish subject to further corrosion and discoloration. Brass or copper plated mounts can be easily detected through the use of a magnet. If the magnet sticks to the bracket, it is a plated part. On the other hand, solid brass or solid copper umbrella stands can be easily refinished because solid brass or solid copper can be polished indefinitely without further damage or discoloration.
Refinishing your stand.
If your solid brass or solid copper umbrella stand still looks shiny but shows wear due to scuffs or scratches, it may be coated with a fine lacquer. It will be necessary to remove the lacquer before polishing the substrate using a household paint / lacquer remover. If your umbrella stand already appears tarnished, it is likely that lacquer is missing and the stand can be cleaned and polished without additional preparation. To clean and polish any solid brass or solid copper umbrella stand, a brass or copper polishing paste is an excellent solution. In our experience, Wenol Brass Polish is an excellent choice and can be found at many hardware stores or ordered online. Apply the polish to a soft cloth (gloves are recommended) and rub the cloth on the umbrella stand starting from the bottom up. Once the backing is polished, it can be used “as is” and will develop a slight patina over time. If you want the support to remain highly polished, you will need to apply a thin layer of clear lacquer. Clear spray lacquer is available at most hardware stores and paint centers. Be careful not to spray on fingerprints once the mount is polished, as fingerprints may become more obvious once the mount is lacquered.
