Update on the Rev War Rattlesnake button

[PhillyMike68]

I decided to lightly clean the button just to get the mud and dirt off of it. I let it soak in some lemon juice then went over it with a Q-Tip. I didn't want to use anything abrasive. What do you guys and girls think?

 

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[Wildcat1750]

Sure brings out the shine!

 

[Palmetto Pony]

Gorgeous! Nice job and IMHO I would stop right there.

 

[Gaspipe]

Nice but you are gonna get your post moved again.

 

[PhillyMike68]

Nice but you are gonna get your post moved again.

What do you mean?

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Killer button, congratulations!

 

[Ahab8]

Mike that's a very nice result! Thank god it had a ton of gilt (silver wash). If not the lemon juice could have made a mess out of that beauty. That's an incredible example of a very special patriotic button! A rattlesnake button is something I really hope to find one day. Congrats on yours Mike

 

[Silvermonkey]

That button looks great! What an amazing find! Great job on the clean-up.

 

[BobTheDigger]

I love that button. I hope I find one someday.

 

[chatterbait]

WOW that special.Its now on my bucket list.

 

[Scrappy]

Mike that's a very nice result! Thank god it had a ton of gilt (silver wash). If not the lemon juice could have made a mess out of that beauty. That's an incredible example of a very special patriotic button! A rattlesnake button is something I really hope to find one day. Congrats on yours Mike

Yep, that silver prevented a hot hot mess.

 

[MadTom]

That's a hell off a nice button!!!!

 

[Gaspipe]

What do you mean?

Your last thread got moved to the Cleaning section ...right? So I was guessing that this thread is not a "Today's Find " so it would get moved as well... The forum police are pretty strict !

 

[smokeythecat]

Soak it in water to ensure nothing of he lemon juice remains, that way you'll still have a button 6 months from now.

 

[CASPER-2]

came out nice---lemon juice is acidic - don't use on keepers

 

[trapperart]

Congrats again on this special button. I really hope it makes it up top

 

[CRUSADER]

I would of done the same. Make sure you soak it well in water to lift all the juice out. Its a balancing act on gilt buttons that show some of the copper base metal because it attacks the patina (green) from it & makes it a less attractive finish. However, the cleaner gilt areas more than makes up for the negative.

 

[Ahab8]

I would of done the same. Make sure you soak it well in water to lift all the juice out. Its a balancing act on gilt buttons that show some of the copper base metal because it attacks the patina (green) from it & makes it a less attractive finish. However, the cleaner gilt areas more than makes up for the negative.

Agreed. If I see a lot of gilt hiding under the dirt I am going to attempt either lemon juice or naval jelly. I do fairly quick soaks and neutralize with water and a dab of dish soap. That button came out great and nothing was lost. The high points already had the gilt worn off

 

[Patriot Relics]

Outstanding job with the cleaning- silver wash looks incredible