Button ID and cleaning advice needed

[vabuckhunter]

Found these 2 buttons today and a 1800s foundation in the mountains. I think the one is a virginia seal officers button but I am not sure as to the other one. There is alot of gold guilt left under the dirt, how can I clean them so the guilt stays on?

 

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[screwynewy]

Nice looking buttons - they should clean up nicely. You'll get a lot of opinions about cleaning finds here but in "my" opinion if there is still a good amount of guilt and the button feels like it is pretty solid then you can brush some aluminum jelly on them with a soft tooth brush - let it sit for 20 seconds or so they brush them clean under running water. You will be amazed at how much better the look. Be aware that if any of the gilt is worn down to the brass underneath that the brass can dry out and turn a reddish color. Sorry not to be any help on the ID but I'm sure someone can help.

 

[Ahab8]

Here is one that I used naval jelly on. Used a qtip with the jelly on it. Did short 20 second cleanings then neutralized with dish liquid and water. If you try to work it too long it will take off the gilt. It's a delicate little dance

 

[gene the machine]

nice job Ahab8 ... i never tried the jelly thing before but i am glad to have heard it here... thanks

and way to go on the button... on my wish list for sure... GL & HH

 

[BuckleBoy]

Everything one should need to ever know about cleaning buttons of all types is in my post here:

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/cleaning-preservation/89045-how-clean-buttons.html

Best Wishes,

Buck

 

[sutphin]

Nice finds you got there vabuckhunter and what you said is true when working on gilt buttons or any relic you have to dilute any strong chemical with water and that goes for pure lemon juice that stuff is a citric acid that will eat up anything with an applied finish . I myself ruined a nice relic by leaving it unattended in pure lemon juice and it cleaned off the finish to bare metal turning it a brick orange color . Damn that is a nice button and look at her shine!!!!!!!!!!!vanzutphen

 

[Ahab8]

Everything one should need to ever know about cleaning buttons of all types is in my post here:

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/cleaning-preservation/89045-how-clean-buttons.html

Best Wishes,

Buck

I highly recommend everybody save Bucks cleaning methods so you can refer to them when you have a cleaning question. Great advice there. I've screwed up a gifted button with naval jelly before. It's very easy to do. You just have to be patient and do very short sessions

 

[DigIron2]

Not sure about the bottom button but that one on top is a v.a state seal button.Looks like it might possibly be one of the nicest ones I have seen posted.Cant wait to see it cleaned.

 

[DigIron2]

keep us updated on the buttons if you would.I am very curious about that bottom one also.some nice looking buttons you found there

 

[vabuckhunter]

From my research it seems to be a railroad button from around 1865. I haven't found out exactly which railroad yet but I will let you know Digiron

 

[retire05]

Everything one should need to ever know about cleaning buttons of all types is in my post here:

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/cleaning-preservation/89045-how-clean-buttons.html

Best Wishes, Buck

BuckleBoy - Thanks for the great advice on cleaning buttons. I also found a religious medallion and am trying to clean it up. I tried using lemon juice on a Q-Tip and that made it a lot better, but it still has a ways to go. Do you have any advice on that? It is metal, but has no sterling or 925 stamped on it.

Thanks...Brad

 

[BuckleBoy]

BuckleBoy - Thanks for the great advice on cleaning buttons. I also found a religious medallion and am trying to clean it up. I tried using lemon juice on a Q-Tip and that made it a lot better, but it still has a ways to go. Do you have any advice on that? It is metal, but has no sterling or 925 stamped on it.

Thanks...Brad

Hi Brad,

I used to clean silver plated items with aluminum jelly but I think I'd do it this way now:

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/cleaning-preservation/442189-how-clean-blackened-silver-coins.html

Best Wishes,

Buck

 

[vabuckhunter]

Halfway done with the cleaning

 

[Ahab8]

Halfway done with the cleaning

Fantastic it's looking good

 

[park pirate]

Buckleboy seems to have the best methods for cleaning buttons by his pics they come out very nice....

 

[coinman123]

I agree with Abe, I have used Navel Jelly and gilded buttons have came out great.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Those are a couple of great looking buttons VBH. The rim around the Virginia button most likely indicates a post-war manufacture. Can't see enough detail on the other to ID just yet. I agree with Buck on the use of aluminum jelly for cleaning heavily gilted buttons, and I've been using that technique successfully for many years. I like to use a small plastic syringe to apply the jelly. That way I can precisely control exactly what parts of the button I want to cover. Then I rinse off after 30 seconds or so, and if needed keep repeating the treatment until you get the results you desire. Below are a couple before and after pics for 2 of my gilted buttons that came out really nice after applying aluminum jelly. Good luck with the cleaning.

 

[vabuckhunter]

Bill D here is the other button cleaned up, I cant find any info on the button at all. I believe it to be a railroad button but I am not sure. If you have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Bill D here is the other button cleaned up, I cant find any info on the button at all. I believe it to be a railroad button but I am not sure. If you have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

I saw a listing in the publication "Seeger and Guernsey's Cyclopedia of the Manufactures and Products of the United States" that states that Hoole was a maker of military buttons prior to 1890. But I believe its Pennsylvania Railroad button, probably from after that date. The "P" is obvious, but I'm having a hard time figuring out the RR. Anyway, I'm pretty sure that's what it is.

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