Abacus
Antique Dealers: Caring For Your Antique Metals
Caring
for your antique metal items requires know-how. Each
metal has its own particular characteristics and requires
its own brand of tender loving care.
Brass
Brass
is commonly found on decorative items, hardware and
fixtures. Avoid cleaning with acids such as vinegar
or lemon. The acid is too harsh. Likewise, avoid ammonia-
based products such glass cleaners. A coat of clear
lacquer is often applied to brass to prevent tarnish.
A coat of paste wax will slow tarnish. But antique
brass should not be polished because the patina that
develops over time is desirable.
Bronze
Sculptures,
lamp bases, fixtures are sometimes made of bronze.
There is good news with this metal. The less you do
the better. The patina that comes with aging on bronze
is desirable. So, don’t do anything beyond a
light dusting to maintain any of your bronze items.
Cast-Iron
Cast-iron
is a metal of choice for fireplace accessories, cookware
and garden accessories. Cast-iron that has become
wet should be thoroughly dried as it will rust. A
coating of oil, wax or paint can prevent rust. You
can use a small knife to remove small rust spots.
Avoid submerging in water any cast-iron cookware as
it is often seasoned. Don’t scrub this off. It
is desirable.
Copper
Copper
is a popular metal used for home and garden decorative
ware and cookware. For your outdoor copperware: left
untended it develops an appealing green patina, yet
people do tend to polish their copper cookware. A
timeless homemade remedy continues to be a popular
cleaning method. Sprinkle the item with coarse salt
and use a half of a lemon to scour until clean.
Gold
Gilt
is often applied as a decorative element to furniture
and is found in antique jewelry. Gilt and plating
found on furniture are very delicate, so gently dust
with a very soft brush. Pure gold doesn’t tarnish.
But impurities in hard water might discolor gold,
so make sure that any gold that gets wet is thoroughly
dried.
Pewter
Pewter
is found in serving and decorative items. Vintage
pewter was made of a soft mixture of tin and lead
and is more delicate than modern pewter. Using a light
hand is your best course of action with any pewter.
A light dusting and good washing with soap and water
is all pewter needs. It does not buff up to a bright
shine.
Silver
Sterling
and silver plate is commonly used in flatware, serving
items and vintage jewelry. Buff with a silver polish
as needed. The more you use your silver flatware,
the less polishing it needs. In a pinch, toothpaste
makes a good cleaner. Store silver in silversmith
cloth bags.
Tin
Tin
is found in decorative items and kitchenware. Vintage
tin might be gray. Don’t try to buff it away.
The tarnish protects the tin. Dry thoroughly because
any moisture remaining could cause rusting.
