Need help on cleaning silvered CW button found today

[smokeythecat]

Ok, so a certain cat needs to occasionally put the glasses on. What I thought was a button back, now appears to be a brass back with a low dome SILVERED front, I'm thinking a Virginia button. There is an enormous amount of iron stuck to it, probably from it's close association with a rusted out ration can. Any ideas on getting the iron off, without destroying the rest of it? If correct, it's only my second Virginia button ever. And found in a Union camp no less.

 

[Worm-Slicer]

Evaporust might help. Of course I never recommend submerging buttons in liquid, but sounds like there is no choice with that one and dipping it in that would be a delicate way of dealing with it. I've never had any problems with brass in Evaporust either, so if I had it that's what I would try. Might take a few days or even weeks depending on the rust, but should eventually take all of it off. Oh and I definitely would never try electrolysis on it, that could cause the brass to get weak and crumble.

 

[smokeythecat]

Thanks worm-slicer. I have a lot of experience cleaning relics, but this one has me at a standstill. I have a bucket of "iron out" and that may into use in a little while. It has a silver wash, but I'm beginning to think it's not a Virginia. I'll know in a bit.

 

[Worm-Slicer]

Thanks worm-slicer. I have a lot of experience cleaning relics, but this one has me at a standstill. I have a bucket of "iron out" and that may into use in a little while. It has a silver wash, but I'm beginning to think it's not a Virginia. I'll know in a bit.

I'm not familiar with "iron out", but it may be similar to Evaporust. I've had buttons encrusted before I thought was something. I once had this one I could swear it was an iron GA button and I could see the little dome on it. Unfortunately it wasn't, but I'm always still hopeful on encrusted buttons like that. lol Good-luck on getting that iron crud off.

 

[smokeythecat]

I bought a new Optivisor, and now can see it a lot better. Even though silvered on the front, I think I see four holes in the back so that would be a silvered underwear button. I never saw one of them before either. I'll know later.

 

[villagenut]

You may try just a long soak in distilllid water. I soak my cleaned iron in it, not that it removes rust but it helps in migrating any salts out of the iron and stabilizes the artifact. This may loosen up what you have hanging on to the button. Distilled water is a often overlooked preservation process. It might just help, but i doubt it will hurt.

 

[Tpmetal]

You may try just a long soak in distilllid water. I soak my cleaned iron in it, not that it removes rust but it helps in migrating any salts out of the iron and stabilizes the artifact. This may loosen up what you have hanging on to the button. Distilled water is a often overlooked preservation process. It might just help, but i doubt it will hurt.

Distilled water is great stuff for cleaning relics and leaving patina.