Tips Needed 40 year old Door knob?

[Cosmic]

Those are not high class knobs / locks. They are the cheap garden variety, made by a stamping type process. The only thing they are the better quality junk of the past. 50 years does make a difference in terms of junk quality. Those are more heavy duty, weight, etc. In the 50's they still made things pretty well, even if garden variety.

Real high class stuff, especially that which is sort of defined as antique is in a totally different class. Those are not particularly valuable. Probably do serve the function well. Might not be that easy to find a functional replacement for any type of reasonable money.

In the past I had access to lots of doors of all types, got them by the truck load. Used to always save all the locks, hardware, etc, cut up the doors for firewood. After awhile had this huge collection. Was super good money in it if you could rehab them. The valuable stuff is more antique and usually all brass or some other desirable metal. Yours don't fit into a category that would cause any real excitement.

But in your case, they probably fit the situation well. I would still try the cleaning, maybe a light polish if desired. Coat as necessary and call it square. You did not say, if they fully function and have no operational problems, if so, would just use a lot of care until I fully understood, how much rehab they might be capable of.

[robintbowers]

Is it possible to paint old brassy door knobs. How?

[motormaker]

You can paint them, but they will chip and you will probably not be happy. Wouldn't even want to suggest a method to paint them.

[windtimber]

They are old hardware/lumberyard stock doorknobs and locksets. Pot metal plated in brass. We had similar styles in an early '60s commercial building. If they are that long in the tooth they're probably not working too well anyhow. If you want to replace them look at Van Dykes Restorers for replacement and restoration hardware.

[jimboburnsy]

It's interesting to me that there is a screw on the exterior side of the lock...

[M3 Mitch]

Something that's a little less messy than Brasso is the "cotton-in-a-can" type brass/chrome polish, you can get it at any auto parts store, intended to polish mag type wheels.

You may want to apply masking tape around the lock plate on the wood, to avoid getting black grunge from the polishing work onto the wood, which it will stain.

If these were mine, when I was done polishing I'd spray them with S-100 Corrosion Protectant, available at better motorcycle/ MC supply stores. A can of this will last you a while and you will find other uses for it, it's good stuff.

Good point that these locks are not terribly secure. That may or may not matter to you, depending on where you live.

[ELOrocks17]

Tips Needed 40 year old Door knob?

Well next time dont elect him President!