Update on a recent button find.

[WHADIFIND]

Back about a week ago I found this button and said I would update when/if I knew more.

But, since it was in such bad shape, I volunteered it for an experiment I had in mind for a while.

Here it is as I found it:



And here it is after some initial attempts at cleaning:



It was at this point that I volunteered it for my experimental treatment.

I'll give the details later, right now, I'd like opinions on whether I improved/unimproved/ruined this old button.

Here it is after my treatment:





Thanks for taking a moment to look.

HH!

 

[DJWEHAGE]

I don't think it was worth much to begin with. If your goal was to experiment or to ID it, I would say you were successful.

 

[John Boy]

Looks pretty dang good to me.how ever you cleaned it.it cleaned up nice.

 

[JmCraz8]

Cleaned up nicely to me!!

 

[WHADIFIND]

I used some of the normal methods we've seen here, olive oil, hot peroxide, etc. But, when I saw it wasn't going to help much. I copper plated the button.

LOL Kinda worked. Remember, it would never be for sale so I didn't care about intrinsic values. I just wanted something that would display better than it was, so, whatcha think? Worthy idea? Has anyone else tried this?

I kind of like it myself.

Thanks!

HH!

 

[WHADIFIND]

Sooooo, you're saying , ummmmmmmmm, lemme guess. No?

 

[fyrffytr1]

It's whatever floats your boat. If you like it, that is all that matters.

 

[Tnmountains]

So reverse electrolysis is what you are saying? At least you can I.D it. It is a catch 22 on the cleaning. If valuable no but how do you know what you have if you can not see it right?

 

[WHADIFIND]

So reverse electrolysis is what you are saying? At least you can I.D it. It is a catch 22 on the cleaning. If valuable no but how do you know what you have if you can not see it right?

Well, yeah, but quite on purpose. I tried reg. electrolysis as part of the original cleaning. The button was just too far gone. I had been thinking about ways to maybe fill in some of the pitting on items. Such as paint, wax, etc. Then, I thought about plating materials. Gold, silver, copper, etc. Copper was cheap enough and I have found PLENTY of copper scrap!

So, I rigged up a copper strip and let it go. I checked from time to time and sure enough, the spots where I could see the letter's impressions, that had lost their gilt, started to fill and was better able to read.

I checked every so often and decided to just let it go overnight. Then, with a little brushing, polishing, it almost looked like it had always been copper.

I'm thinking that this might be a good method for just those items that we just want a display piece. I knew what this was after initial cleaning. Didn't really want to ruin a piece this old. But, after all, time had already done it's worst. I figured, couldn't hoit! LOL.

Thanks for the comments!

HH!

 

[John Boy]

I'll have to try that myself that's pretty cool.Never thought of that way.Thanks for the lesson.

 

[WHADIFIND]

I'll have to try that myself that's pretty cool.Never thought of that way.Thanks for the lesson.

Proceed with caution though. Those people who say one NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, cleans ANY coin, will at least frown on copper plating a button like this. LOL

Make sure it's not an important piece of history you're playing with, you might just ruin it for all those others who are going to see your item.

Thanks!

HH!

 

[oooldman]

Was it improved ?? Darned if i want to make a judgement call ... But to answer a question with a question.. Was Dolly Parton improved after all the work on her? It ended up looking pretty darn good to me. So I vote much improved at least now ya got something pretty to show off !!