Heck with the pewter, this recipe would kill or seriously injure the cleaner!!!
----- Original Message -----
From: Heidi Campbell-Shoaf
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2007 3:23 PM
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] blast from the past or Friday afternoon musings
Our archivist came across a letter written in 1917 to a local collector from an antiques dealer describing how to clean pewter. We amazed and somewhat horrified at what it contained, so I thought I'd excerpt it here for everyone's enjoyment.
Clean old pewter as follows:
First prepare a solution containing water, 1 gallon, caustic soda, 8 ounces, and common rosin, ½ ounce. Heat the solution to 200 degrees F, and immerse the articles in same from 5 to 10 minutes, then remove and washing in cold water. Second, immerse for a few minutes in a hydrofluoric acid dip composed of 1 part acid to 6 parts of water. Then wash in water. Third, instead of cutting down with Tripoli, scour with a very soft Tampico brush and lime paste to produce a clean surface afterwards, then wash and dry thoroughly, then buff the surface with white lime and kerosene oil. Finally wash in benzene or gasoline and dry out with fine maple sawdust. If you are fond of pewter it will pay you to keep this and any old worn pewter piece can be made like new.
Heidi Campbell-Shoaf, Curator
Historical Society of Frederick County
24 East Church Street
Frederick, Md. 21701
www.hsfcinfo.org
========================================================= Important Subscriber Information:
The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).
If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).
=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:
The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).
If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).
|
