In addition to the window rebuilding project, I am also undertaking a refurbishing project at the other end of the scale — stripping the years of paint off our door hardware and refinishing it to something like what it would have looked like new.
I’m using a mild chemical stripper to remove years of paint, just soaking the parts (except the porcelain knobs) in it overnight. Underneath it all is iron castings. Rather than using the glossy jet black that was the original paint color, I am using a “hammered bronze” spray paint that is both forgiving and attractive. And yes, I’m painting the screw heads.