Hi Sarah,

The metal treatments mentioned in your posting are indeed familiar. You can find more specific information on the probable methods and materials used in archaeological conservation during the 20th century in, "The Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art" by H.J. Plenderleith & A.E. A. Werner (2nd edition, 1971, Oxford University Press).  Also, some of these treatments can be found in, "Historical Archaeology" by Ivor Noel Hume.

An old colleague of mine, Emily Williams - archaeological conservator at Colonial Williamsburg - had to reconstruct previous treatments from smiliar cryptic notations in association with artifacts. It might be useful to contact Emily about her discoveries.

Most of these treatments sound like those in use duirng the 1960's - 1980's.

"air-brasive lacquered"
This is a technique where the surfaced is cleaned with pressurized air with an abrasive media. Such media can range from walnut shells to glass beads (very abrasive). The lacquer can refer to anything from a nitrocellulose (has aging problems) to Krylon Acrylic lacquer to Acryloid Methacrylate coatings.

"electrolysis waxed"
This is a technique where the object is submereged in a caustic solution (sometimes sodium hydroxide (very caustic) or sodium sesquicarbonate. There is a metal plate or screen in the solution under the object to which a positive termninal from a DC power source in attached. The object has a negative terminal from the DC power source attached to it. The current is applied in a controlled method to electrolytically reduce active corrosion,loosen  soil concretions, and create a more stable metal oxide surface on the artifact. The waxing could refer from anything from commercial beeswax or bowling alley wax to the microcrystalline waxes used by conservators today.

"sequestered waxed"
This refers to the use of chemicals solutions to chemically sequester chloride ions that are soluable in water or chemical solutions.

"caustic soda waxed"
This refers to the use of caustic soda solutions to reduce hydroxides in metal artifacts - sodium hydroxide is one such caustic solution.

"kwik waxed"
I would guess that this refers to the use of Kwik commercial shoe polish waxes.

So Sarah, I hope that this has been helpful to you.

Just one caveat - most of these old treatments were either too aggressive or ineffective or dealt with very hazardous chemicals and as such are largely discontinued in modern archaeological conservation.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Objects Specialty Group Chair (AIC)
Conservator
Los Angeles, California  USA

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