Alright, folks: I just won a pretty gal with gold wash (with letters in relief) covering roughly 50% of the face side of the blade. This is my first "washed" razor, and without having it in my hands, it looks like most of the wash is intact (some fading on fine lines at the edges of the design). It'd be a shame to ruin it, so I would GREATLY appreciate thorough advice how to proceed.

Primary Concerns (currently):

Cleaning. I know not to touch the gold with polish. In fact, I plan on honing it before trying to remove any patina (depending on the circumstances, grime can be a protective layer ). On a related note, would Barbercide: Antitrust Formula affect the gold wash??

Honing. The only razor hone I have is a Shapton M5 12k ceramic. I plan on taping the spine; and if needed, pre-cutting the tape to a shape that will not touch the wash. I will use a very soft microfiber cloth to dry it. But. Should I just cover the wash with something that won't stick to/lift it in an attempt to seal it off from the grit & moisture during the honing process??

Polishing. "I have MAAS, and I'm half-afraid to use it!!" The face will be polished with the utmost respect and care (not to mention patience!). Tools will likely consist of q-tips & a triangular makeup sponge that I'll get from SWMBO. Oh, and nitrile gloves.

I look forward to your thoughtful responses!