Thread: What do you all think? Brush+Cup

Never tire of seeing your brush and scuttle, Mike!

I pull it out on occasion, typically cool weather times of the year. Its actually a scuttle, so...warm lather for cooler times of the year.

They can be a bit of work, taking care of them. It doesn't take long for them to start oxidizing, (tarnish) after getting them looking nice. But the tarnish actually protects the silver, to a point.

Eventually, replating them is inevitable.

Careful to what you clean and polish them with, most metal polishes are too harsh, and will remove the plating.

Originally Posted by outback

Give the knot a good cleaning with " Shout" laundry stain remover, or oxy clean, then a couple times with shampoo, then a go with conditioner.

U can clean the mug with " Never Dull" metal polish.

it finally arrived...condition is a bit worse than it looked in the pics from the auction. Think i have to replate this? From what I've been told that's silver patina, and LOTS of it, so not sure how deep the plating goes. (or if it's sterling). I'll try Nevr-dull and see how it goes though. Cuz a quick googleing tells me plating is NOT something I can afford.



Edit: Someone told me about this: http://www.razoremporium.com/blog/sa...patina-removal. I gave the brush one quick round and OMG it makes such a huge difference. Between this and some Nevr Dull (which i assume helps "shine it up" a bit?), I should be good to go! It won't look like new i don't think, but then again, it's not supposed to.

Originally Posted by Tjh

1 full round of a VERY foul smelling baking soda/Aluminum soaking later:



maybe 1 more round of this (honestly i cannot begin to describe to you the permeating foul smell of this) and then Nevr Dull. There still seems to be some portions of black/patina type deal esp. on the brush handle that simply isn't going away (technically the brush went thru 2 cycles of baking soda soak). Hopefully the Nevr Dull can polish up the rest of that.

I just popped the knot right off actually, the handle itself is completely hollow with a bottom, like i could pour water into it and it'd keep the water. Seems to be 20mm. Hopefully I can get a new 20mm knot and pop it in after the cleanup.

Notes:
1. The inside of it is a really nice and thick container made out of some sort of porcelain or similar. Put it thru a nice full cycle in my dishwasher cleaned up real good!

2. Does ANYONE know anything about this at all? There are basically no identifying marks or nothing, and the seller didn't seem to know much either (or didn't mentioned anything)...I'd love to know at least some estimate of age, if nothing else.

Are you sure the dark spots you mentioned that won't come clean aren't bare spots where the silver plating has worn off over the years?

I'm also inclined to think that the dark spots that won't polish up are bare spots where the silver plate has worn off.

I'd do some research on the forum about replacing knots before attempting it. Normally. whatever the hole diameter is, say 20mm, you'd need a knot about 1mm to 1.5mm smaller than that.

I'd also be inclined to think that the inside white container is made of what is called milk glass.


Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

I'm also inclined to think that the dark spots that won't polish up are bare spots where the silver plate has worn off.

I'd do some research on the forum about replacing knots before attempting it. Normally. whatever the hole diameter is, say 20mm, you'd need a knot about 1mm to 1.5mm smaller than that.

I'd also be inclined to think that the inside white container is made of what is called milk glass.


Bob

Interesting. I initially thought all the spots were plating having worn off until someone told me it may not be and pointed me to the baking soda trick. I'm still debating doing one more round in the pot with both brush and cup.

Honestly, I'd feel MUCH better having someone else do the reknotting part...

Keep in mind any chemical treatment like the baking soda routine will clean tarnish but will not polish the silver and you will be left with an opaque dull finish which then has to be polished. The best bet is some Gorham Foam cleaner which is gentle and will take some time but will clean and polish.

so what i'm doing is the baking soda to remove tarnish AND THEN Nevr-Dull to polish it.

Originally Posted by Tjh

Interesting. I initially thought all the spots were plating having worn off until someone told me it may not be and pointed me to the baking soda trick. I'm still debating doing one more round in the pot with both brush and cup.

I did not say for sure that the plating had worn off but was inclined to think so. You'll find out soon enough if you keep soda cleaning and polishing. Hope that works but don't be too disappointed if it does not.

Bob