TrpnBils
Hero Member
Are aluminum jelly and naval jelly the same thing for cleaning up buttons? I keep seeing references for this but have never tried it... I noticed Lowes has naval jelly so I might pick some up tomorrow if it's the same thing.
Interesting - what does aluminum jelly do for pitting? I have a good many nice tokens that are lightly to moderately pitted.....Doesn't work as good on aluminum tokens, though. Shines them up, but it doesn't do anything for the pitting on them.
Yeah I've noticed it seems to be hard to find...how does ammonia do? I've seen that mentioned from time to time tooThe naval jelly is slightly more corrosive due to a higher percentage of phosphoric and sulfuric acids. I know the MSDS has the same amounts listed, but if you'll notice it's listed as a percentage range (10-30% for phosphoric and 0.1-1% sulfuric). The range is to help protect their exact formulas. If you need to prove it to yourself try litmus paper on each and you'll see the differences. To me the aluminum jelly also seems to have a thinner consistency.
The full name of the aluminum jelly is Loctite Aluminum Jelly Cleaner and Brightener. I couldn't find ANY in my area so a local Tru Value hardware store said they could order it. When they tried they were advised it was being discontinued so they refunded my money and I went looking elsewhere. I ended up finding a vendor on Ebay so I ordered two bottles.
I used it on a gold gilt general service button and it brought out gilt I couldn't even see originally. It also took of the green corrosion quickly.