Hello All,
I’ve been digging a site where the buttons and brass items have a concrete-like layer of dirt on them that just won’t come off with water. They look like cookie coins from the beach. Does anyone have any experience with brass items, dug perhaps from a privy or a location that left them similarly encrusted? From what I can tell it’s silty dirt but it’s on everything like glue. I used a brass bristle brush on one button and it took the dirt—but also the patina right off. Help!
I’ve been digging a site where the buttons and brass items have a concrete-like layer of dirt on them that just won’t come off with water. They look like cookie coins from the beach. Does anyone have any experience with brass items, dug perhaps from a privy or a location that left them similarly encrusted? From what I can tell it’s silty dirt but it’s on everything like glue. I used a brass bristle brush on one button and it took the dirt—but also the patina right off. Help!