Cleaning Gilt Button with Lemon!

[bcbirdman]

I wanted to share this with you all on here because I was blown away by the result of cleaning this early 1800s button with a lemon rind. I had found this button last November and just now got around to cleaning some of my gilt finds. I could tell this one had a bit of gilt still on it when you shined it under the light, but I never knew it would have this much! Here are before and after pics taken about 5 minutes apart. Super happy with this result. This button has no back mark, but I was able to date it to about 1820-1840. Found in western Indiana.

 

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[Blackfoot58]

I wanted to share this with you all on here because I was blown away by the result of cleaning this early 1800s button with a lemon rind. I had found this button last November and just now got around to cleaning some of my gilt finds. I could tell this one had a bit of gilt still on it when you shined it under the light, but I never knew it would have this much! Here are before and after pics taken about 5 minutes apart. Super happy with this result. This button has no back mark, but I was able to date it to about 1820-1840. Found in western Indiana.

Very nice results.👍🏼

 

[robertk]

That's pretty impressive, especially for just five minutes. Seems like it would be easy to overdo if it's that strong/quick.

 

[djackson7348]

Thanks for sharing what you did. I had never thought of it, and would have been nervous to try but now I will have to give it a shot.

 

[bcbirdman]

Thanks for sharing what you did. I had never thought of it, and would have been nervous to try but now I will have to give it a shot

Someone here on TNET shared that technique with me recently. I would definitely recommend it, but I would make sure to rinse it with water after you use the lemon to get rid of all the acid. Rub it a little here and there and check to see it change. I tried it on another two gilt buttons I had, but it didn't enhance them as dramatically. Just a little bit. Just posted this one because it was so drastic.