posted on November 6, 2004 11:38:18 AM new
I picked up a Los Castillo Marked Taxco tray today and it has a coat of what looks like polyurethane over it and it's flaking off.(which gives it a very scratched up look) Is there anyway to fix this (like lightly sand it down and re-dip) or would you try and sell it as is. I hate to just throw out a piece of taxco.Also is 228 the pattern number ?
posted on November 6, 2004 12:26:28 PM new
Do you have any idea what it would be worth if fixed up? If low end, I'd just give it to the thrift shop. Seems to me it'll be tough trying to repair the damage.
posted on November 6, 2004 12:46:31 PM new
Roadsmith, heres one that has a cool lizard on it almost the same shape and size at 475.00 ...lol thats why i asked about fixing it
posted on November 6, 2004 01:50:54 PM new
Los Castillo is probably one of the best silver designers and worked with Spratling. Here is an article on him. Scroll down to the middle of the page.
posted on November 6, 2004 02:12:17 PM new
Hi toasted
Nice find! It looks like it has a lacquer finish on it but I don't know anything about it or whether it's best to list it 'as is' or try to remove it.
Here is a site that tells how to remove lacquer coatings from copper. The first one sounds easy if you wanted to take the risk.... kind of hard to decide once you know what it may be worth because you wouldn't want to damage it further either.
posted on November 6, 2004 03:06:49 PM new
If it's lacquer, you can use lacquer thinner to remove it. If it's shellac, denatured alcohol will remove it. Test a small spot on the underside first to make sure it doesn't harm the finish. Do this outside with plenty of ventilation and away from any source of ignition. If it's a modern synthetic coating, acetone will be needed and I would hesitate to suggest using that as it will surely damage the artwork.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on November 6, 2004 04:32:01 PM new
Thanks as always for your help ! You guys and gals are the best.Whatever the layer is (lacquer or shellac),it scratches off real easy with just my finger nail . I guess I should sleep on... to clean or not to clean. I almost wanna keep it myself cause who knows when I'll ever see another one.
posted on November 6, 2004 04:32:55 PM new
Wow, toasted. I see what you mean about the value. That $400+ tray would have been passed up by me at a yard sale. Good luck to you and I hope you make a mint on it.
