When I worked for a conservator several years ago, we used Renaissance Wax on metal objects. I think this would be preferable over lacquering which seems a bit permanent, or at least hazardous to the artifact should it ever need to be removed. We bought it from Conservation Materials, now out of business. I think I bought it last from Light Impressions. I've seen it advertised in other supply catalogues as well. Good luck, Jerrie Jerrie Clarke Curator of Collections Valdez Museum http://www.alaska.net/~vldzmuse/index.html >From: Tim McShane <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: To laquer or not to laquer--that is the question >Date: Sun, 7 Jan 2001 16:40:38 -0800 > >I'm not a conservator, but I would say that the benefits/hazards of a >lacquer would depend on just what lacquer you were considering using. You >should also consider how off-gasing of the lacquer may affect other pieces >in storage/on display near the pots. > >At my museum we use micro-crystalline wax to treat our brass objects that >are subject to tarnishing. Specifically, we use Renaissance Wax; the item >description for it in our supplier's catalog (Carr McLean) reads, in part; > >"The finest Cleaner/Polish Wax available, specified by museums, art >galleries and conservators throughout the world. It will gently lift the >grime of antiquity and murky deposits of other polishes, leaving the >surface >delightful to see and touch." > >Cheers, > >Tim McShane, Collections Manager >West Parry Sound District Museum >(and not a sales rep. for Carr McLean! ;-)) > >========================================================= >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). _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com ========================================================= 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).