Brass door handle

This site is really fantastic! I've asked for help 4 times and just can't believe so much great advice is at my fingertips. Here goes another one.....

My front door has a brass handle with a lever and also a brass plate surrounding a round deadbolt casing. I remember looking sometime back for a new handle and found that the template? was an old one and so no luck in changing it out. I believe they said I could buy a new door? Anyway, I'm still working away readying the house for sale and decided to use Brasso and good ole elbow grease to shine er up. I applied, rubbed and waited for it to dry and buffed it out and basically it just laughed at me. I looked on the internet and found a place I could mail it off to be refinished, however, I'm not sure I'd feel real safe using a bungee cord to secure my front door for a couple of weeks until I get it back. I live in a real nice neighborhood but everyone has their limit....

Is there any "miracle" fix out there? Can I buy a gold spray paint or would it chip and peel off in a matter of days/weeks? I don't want to make it look any worse than it already does.

Waiting with baited breath.........

Here's what I do..............

Living across the street from the water here in Flroida, I face this problem every year or two.
Here's what I do. It is work, but you can do everything in just a few hours.
1. I use a good quality grinder (or motor) and install an 8" polishing wheel.
2. Using various grits of polishing compound I take off the old laquer and then use a softer wheel to polish with a jewelers rouge and give the brass a beautiful shine.
3. Then clean everything with acetone and spray with a high quality laquer.

I wear gloves, eye protection and a cheap white nose and mouth mask like you see the doctors on TV wearing. These three things are not necessary, but I would sure recommend them.
Tom