Silicone spray is usually a safe bet, but just a heads-up—some antique brass finishes can react differently. I've seen silicone work perfectly on old locks, but once had a client whose antique doorknob developed a weird cloudy spot after using it. I'd recommend testing it on a small hidden area first, or maybe even consider powdered graphite if you're worried. It can be messy, but it's gentle and historically been used on older locks without issues.
Good tip on graphite, but man, that stuff gets everywhere... learned that the hard way. Silicone's usually my go-to, but yeah, antiques can be tricky. Had a similar cloudy spot appear once—thankfully it faded after a while.
"Silicone's usually my go-to, but yeah, antiques can be tricky."
Silicone is generally reliable, but for antique hardware, especially delicate brass or bronze finishes, it can sometimes cause cloudy residues or discoloration. I've found that a dry PTFE lubricant works exceptionally well—it doesn't attract dust and leaves minimal residue. Just apply sparingly, and wipe off any excess immediately. It's saved me from headaches more than once, particularly with vintage pieces. Might be worth trying next time you're dealing with sensitive hardware...
Good tip on the PTFE—I hadn't considered that before. Silicone's usually solid, but yeah, I've seen the cloudy residue thing happen on brass hinges before, and it wasn't pretty. Ended up spending way too long trying to polish it out gently... not fun. I'll give your method a shot next time I tackle something vintage. Always nice to have another trick up my sleeve for delicate hardware.
I've had silicone residue issues too, especially on older brass hardware. PTFE's been my go-to lately—just apply sparingly and wipe off excess thoroughly. Saves a ton of polishing headaches later... learned that the hard way after hours spent buffing cloudy hinges.