Antique Cleaning Experiment: Preserve Patina or Polish to Perfection?
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- čas přidán 5. 12. 2018
- Today, we dive into the intriguing debate of *cleaning antiques or not**. Should you **clean antiques* or leave the *patina on antiques* to preserve their authenticity and value? We explore the nuances of **cleaning antique brass**, **antique silver**, and the delicate beauty of the **patina on bronze antiques**.
Join me as I demonstrate with real examples, such as a stunning *antique brass Victorian bucket**, showing the stark difference between cleaned and untouched items. Discover the secrets of **cleaning vintage items* and learn vital **antique restoration tips**.
We’ll discuss the importance of *patina on antiques**, why some prefer to **leave patina on antiques**, and the best **cleaning methods for antiques**. Whether you're considering **cleaning antique coins* or wondering about the **benefits of patina on antiques**, this film covers it all.
Learn about **cleaning antique wood**, the **do's and don'ts of antique cleaning**, and the best practices for **restoring antique furniture**. We'll tackle common **antique cleaning mistakes**, share tips on **professional antique cleaning**, and guide you on when to opt for **cleaning vs. preserving antiques**.
Explore the best *antique cleaning products**, methods for **maintaining antique appearance**, and the significance of **patina vs. tarnish on antiques**. Understand how **cleaning antique copper* and *antique metal cleaning tips* can affect your treasures.
Curious about the *value of cleaning antiques**? We’ll delve into the impact of **restoring vintage items* and how to *clean patina safely* without damaging your precious finds. We'll also discuss the value of **caring for antique metal**, and **cleaning delicate antiques**.
For all your antique cleaning and restoration needs, don't miss this essential film. View our collection and items discussed in my films on [antiquesarena.com](antiquesarena.com). Also, be sure to follow all my links below:
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And the clean/do not clean debate goes on! Enjoyed the video, hope you don't mind my ramblings. According to the Victoria and Albert Museum and other museums, leaving a layer of light patina on antique brass and copper is the current FASHION. In other words, it isn't a rule written in stone. Collectors and dealers in the U.S. where I'm located began to favor darkened brass and copper about 100 years ago, not for reasons of preservation, but because in their minds it LOOKED old. Colonial Revival was all the rage, and the older things looked, they thought, the better, and this mentality stuck. The problem is, that is NOT how our ancestors liked their brass, copper and pewter. They liked it gleaming or at least somewhat polished. Tarnish for them was slovenly, a thing to be ashamed of. We today make it acceptable by giving it the fancy name, "patina". If you're going for a truly "period" look in your home, badly tarnished copper or brass isn't the way to go.
It is true that a light layer of tarnish can protect brass and copper from corrosion (and wear from too much polishing) but so can a crystalline wax like Renaissance Wax over polished metal. We own an English Arts and Crafts chest or coffer made in 1903 for example. It's made from copper, has brass trim and feet, and several blue Ruskin pottery cabochons. The contrast between the brass and copper was meant to be SEEN, but when we purchased it it had darkened so much that it was hard to see the two metals altogether. We polished it, allowed it to darken somewhat over a period of time, then waxed it to halt the darkening process. Conversely, some Arts and Crafts copper items were meant to be dark, so do research and hone your judgement. Not everything has to shine, but neither should nothing shine.
I once had a dealer come to our home to look at antique brass candlesticks and he was aghast that we had polished them. He lectured me, saying that that reduces the value, and that to polish or not to polish should be the decision of the "end user". I reminded him that I WAS the end user and that I liked to see polished brass on our mahogany dining table. (On the other hand, I prefer to see pewter that has gone very dark!) Using his approach, dealers should do what, only buy and sell from and to other dealers? Do what feels right to you. There is no right or wrong in regards to "should I polish" antique metal. A gleaming copper kettle on the stove or hearth, sparkling sleigh bells jingling under the moonlight, a shining fender before the fire, and glowing brass candlesticks on the church altar, are more in keeping with the history and daily use of what are now antique metal objects than is letting them go dark. We have antique oil paintings cleaned; we polish silver; we clean brass clock faces so that the numbers can be read - surely there is room for both "polished" and "patinated", the current admonishments from some collectors and dealers (who are not arbitrators of history) not withstanding.
Personally I enjoy cleaning an antique I bought to just the state that looks best to me. I like my things hygienic, but not necessarily shiny. On occasion I've also stripped laquer off new brass items and forced a patina, then polished to just the condition I wanted. I agree that it should best be left to the end user how clean they want an antique. As a dealer, you can always offer to polish it for a surcharge, but why do extra work that the buyer may not appreciate or even dislike? The exception would be active rust or dirt that's causing the object to deteriorate, of course.
Thank you for the information. I appreciate your comment more than you know.
Thank you. I needed this *permission*. Sincerely. 🫶🌻
For brass specifically, a good way to get a nice middle ground is Barkeeper's Friend cleaning powder. It's used just like the name implies and gives that nice, kinda-shiny-kinda-tarnished look people tend to associate with older brass. You can of course use it to clean all the way to pristine with elbow grease, but just a bit with a cloth or steel wool takes totally dull brass to a lovely finish while still looking its age.
thank you very much , i will give that a go
I like to clean brass, however I use Barkeepers Friend as I think it's much less messy and quicker than Brasso.
Conservators use jeweler's cloths, or a mixture of precipitated calcium carbonate (ultra finely sifted chalk dust) and de-ionized water. You can buy both in bulk and they aren't expensive, you mix them together to make a paste and apply with cotton balls or fine cotton cloths.
Jeffrey Herman, President of the American Society of Silversmiths, recommends aloe-free hand sanitizer, gentle dish soaps, or dilute vinegar Windex for light tarnish, and Blitz Silver Shine for tougher tarnish. This is for silver. Though, I personally use Blitz Brass Shine for brass. Not quite museum standard, but it's the gentlest stuff on the market.
Your video was great and after I’ve seeing your beautiful newly polished bucket, I was inspired to clean mine ( actually my husband did😂) . Out of my garden and in to my leaving room ! Thank You✨✨✨
Hello Walter
Thanks for taking the time to make a video, look forward to watching.
I think the coal skuttle will look better nice and shiny.
What a great time to be expecting a new baby hope you have a fabulous Christmas.
Jack
Hi Jack, Thank you very much for your comment, the skuttle does look nice now it is clean so maybe its worth doing on certain items, well time will tell anyway, Thank you cant wait for her to arrive now, xmas baby lol
Thanks, Walter. Great video. Appreciate you taking the time to make a video, even though you have a full plate right now!
Hi Horthwest picker, Thank you very much for your comment, i will try to keep making them as much as i can
I have a vintage ornamental wrought iron piece that I would like to hang on the wall inside. What aesthetic would look best, the natural patina (mild discoloration, minor rust) or cleaning it up?
My first time watching, and enjoyed your video. Was looking to find out if I should clean the nativity set I purchased to resell, and will take your advise and not clean it. Thank tou for your help, and I'll be watching. Best to you and your growing family.
I have seen that piece several times of course and always liked it tbh amazed it hasn't flown out
hi mate, i know what you mean, it should have sold at that price long ago now so will see how this experiment works.
hi walter
nice to see you back .a fantastic video again as this is what i hsve been trying to find out
ill wait and see what the survey results are and the comments on here. all the best with the baby. look forward to your next video
Hi Michael Thank you very much, i am interested myself to see if it helps with the sale of the item. and thank you, she is due in three weeks now.
2:40 for anyone who’d like to go straight to the info (although I really appreciated the nice gesture intro).
Thank you for watching and for your comment. Appreciate it
Antiquesarena My pleasure, thank you for your comment as well.
so did it sell when all cleaned up and did it make a difference ?
I have a piece that was left outside in the elements for many years. The patina is the green/grey film. I'd like to brighten the piece up without removing all of the patina. Do you have suggestions?
Great video. So what happened to the cleaned pot? Sold? Or no effect?
I have a tantalus by Betjammen patent 67663. So 1890s? It appears to be a simple one, lock works with original key. Decanters are most likely not original as both are simple and wrapped in straw. The patina is pretty grimy and green. All the tantalus sold online show a clean item.
I bought ancient artifact Roman and Viking Bronze rings. Wasn't sure if I should clean them or not. This video steered me away from doing so. Thank you
Hi, I was wondering what your opinions are on cleaning painted metal please?
I have recently purchased a beautiful Anglepoise 1227 with original green paintwork. I'm kind of conflicted, as while I'd love to see what it looks like clean - I also kind of like seeing it covered with spots of oil, and you can ever see a spot on the shade where a previous owner manged to get a bit of goldy-beige coloured emulsion paint on the shade.
Although I'd love to see the green looking less dull and more vivid, I also kind of like how it looks like it's had a life where it's clearly served someone in their workshop very well. I'm in two minds about it. There's still some light bits of paint loss, so I like to think that if I did clean it up (I'm thinking either with baby wipes of a bit of Murphy's oil soap to protect the paints finish), then it'll still look authentic and not too new. What do you think? I don't plan to resell it, but I still don't want to devalue it. Thanks
Thanks for the Brasso advert.
Hello. Thx for the wonderful video. I have a very rare large antique copper olive jar. Are u able to give me history data (regarding time period) on my item if I email photos to u? I was told it is a middle eastern piece. It has so much patina, which could be covering any markings. I would appreciate your help. Thank you!
Loving your videos from FLA USA ✌️🇬🇧🇺🇸 🙏
Thank you very much Dee. Appreciate it
Try Mister Metal, it cleans metal much faster. I also use Fritz Products,it works so well on Copper and Brass.and it is easy to use.
Hi Mike. Thank you very much for the tips, i will certainly try those products out, this braso is hard work, but then i dont normally clean brass and copper.
That bucket was amazing--BEFORE the cleaning
Did it sell?
Thank you very much for your comment. Yes it sold within a day
those horses though wow and if I remember correct are clean
What Horses mate ?
@@AntiquesArena I am sure I saw either horses or a horse in brass pulling a coal drey
Hi where is your shop, is it in Aberdare?
Hi. I am sorry it closed a few months ago due to the covid situation people just wernt coming out. I only have the website now. Antiquesarena.com
I love clean metal xx
there's always 1 lol ;)
I know you do hun, lets see if the public feel the same
I don't clean brass items, but that brass bucket looks so much better cleaned. I bet it sells now. Nice to see you make a video. I understand your busy. I hope all is well. I can't wait to see your baby when she arrives. ♥ XO
Hi Love, Thank you as always for your support, i dont normally clean it myself but it was real bad and will see if it improves the selling now, i film in the shop normally hun and with christmas here i am real busy at the shop so struggling to find time to film. and after work i am getting the house ready for the arrival of Gracie-belle xxxx
"Leave it to the antique dealer. We'll know weather to clean it or not". According to this video you don't know if you should clean brass and copper.
300Years old stone statues avilable
CZcams how to clean bronze & you'll find a great brass cleaning video using flour
Extremely fast 😇
And also thanks for the advice on not cleaning bronze.
Of course you clean them, it is pointless leaving them dirty unless brass is just a coating really thin. You clean your walls, your floor, and when the brass items were designed they were supposed so look beautiful and shiny - it even shows respect to the designer to keep them looking new and cherished besides most importantly being simply more beautiful.
Hi thank you for your comment. To a degree I agree with you. But in the antiques world people want to see the patina from age any auction house will tell you if you clean a piece of antique brass or bronze that you have ruined it and half the estimate
*Sir I am from India🇮🇳🇮🇳*
Welcome to my channel. What’s the buying like in India
That looks much better!... but too much work. I soak brass in a dish lined with aluminum foil, filled with heated white vinegar and salt (for conductivity)... let items soak. Scrub with very fine steel wool or stiff brush.. wipe off with cotton cloth. Larger pieces Liquid Barkeepers Friend or make your own paste with flour, salt & vinegar. Peace.
The patina should never be cleaned as it was developed over many years and has become a part of the antique itself and it shows old age and history. That item looks a lot uglier to me with its “new” shiny look after it’s been cleaned, sorry to say but collectors who prefer “new” or “shiny” look on antiques instead of their original conditions usually don’t have much experience in antiques, ask a coin dealer how much does a coin worth before and after it’s been cleaned and it will make some sense to some people
Nice guy, but you're rambling