The advise we got a few years back on badly tarnished silver was that once
you cleaned it, you needed to coat it with a spray lacquer to prevent (slow)
the tarnishing.  Otherwise you would be cleaning it yearly which is not good
however mild your cleanser.

This advise came from the then state conservator who was very reliable.

Our first cleansing tries were with baking soda applied with a cotton cloth
lightly dampened with isporal(?) alcohol.  If this removed sufficient
tarnish, we rinsed the object thoroughly, dried it, and coated it with a
clear spray.  The next level that we used was a product called "Auto Solv"
which we got from a conservator's supply house. Again, rinse thoroughly,
dry, and coat.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Becky Fitzgerald" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2001 3:16 PM
Subject: To laquer or not to laquer--that is the question


> I some need advice!
>
> To laquer or not to lacquer that is the question posed to me by my museum
> board.
>
> I am having trouble finding resources to make a rational decision
concerning
> our museum's large colletion of copper pots which are traditionally
cleaned
> every year with an extremely abrasive cleaner. Someone suggested to
members
> of the board that laquering would be a safer alternative, but I'd like to
see
> that in print (by a reputable conservator.)  Any leads?
>
>
> Becky Fitzgerald
> Executive Director
> Erlander Home Museum
> 404 S. 3rd St.
> Rockford, IL 61104
>
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