posted on October 7, 2001 06:39:12 AM new
We found the strangest little object at a sale the other day. If I ever get all the tarnish off so it will show up in a picture, I'll post one for you.
Anyway, we're not sure if it's brass, silver plate, or silver until we get it clean. Any suggestions for something safe to remove the tarnish? I have silver cleaner but it says not to use it on anything but silver. I tried toothpaste and a soft brush with no luck, so I'm out of ideas. Metalware is not generally something I buy, but this little item fascinated me. Each leg is a tiny elephant, and all the handles are full figure peacocks, a really detailed little piece.
posted on October 7, 2001 08:10:32 AM new
Be careful! It could be patinated bronze...in which case you do not want to polish it. If it seems heavy for its size, check it with a magnet. If the magnet doesn't stick, it's either silver, silver plate, white (pot) metal, brass, bronze or copper. If it does stick...it's iron, tin or the like.
If the magnet doesn't stick, can you scratch a tiny spot, where it wouldn't disfigure the piece? If the metal seems soft, and a sliver peels away easily and is silver colored, it's most likely pot metal...maybe silver plate, or possibly sterling. In this case, you could try polishing with Wright's silver cream. It's safe, and fairly non-abrasive. Stay away from the dips...they remove all patination and ruin antique silver and plate.
If you scratch the spot and the metal is hard and looks yellow or reddish yellow...it is most likely bronze or maybe brass. In this case leave it alone!
Does your piece really look tarnished...or just dark in color? If you rub it hard with your thumb...does your thumb get discolored? I'm asking all this because it sounds like the sort of thing that might be bronze. Is it a little statue, or some kind of dish or container?
posted on October 7, 2001 09:31:01 AM new
I clean all metals (when need and SAFE ) with a cream product made for mag wheels and aluminum parts on old/antique cars. That cream is safe for ALL metals...You find it or any same type, at your local Auto Part store, such as Kragen and others. I have not bought any in a long time, as this lasts foe ever and ever...The container I am looking at now says:
"MOTHERS Mag & Aluminum Polish - Perfect for all Metals"
and it is! I even clean my personal jewelry with it. Totally non-abresive.
But as Toke said, make sure it is not bronze, as you would remove 1/2 of it's value if you cleaned it. On an Antiques Road Show, a lady brough a lovely Tiffany single candle holder...and cleaned it really nice...and lost about 800.00 of it's value... Gosh Shosh
posted on October 7, 2001 12:17:55 PM new
It's black. What we can see is a pale gold color. So assuming it may be bronze, how can I clean it up enough to tell, or should I just leave it black?
Tell me how to post a picture on here, and I'll give it a try.
posted on October 7, 2001 12:27:10 PM new
You could safely spray it with WD40, then wipe it down with a soft cloth. That will just take off the surface dirt.
) with a cream product made for mag wheels and aluminum parts on old/antique cars. That cream is safe for ALL metals...You find it or any same type, at your local Auto Part store, such as Kragen and others. I have not bought any in a long time, as this lasts foe ever and ever...The container I am looking at now says: