Featured can i save this piece and how?

dear all

no silver i guess. the rest of the piece has not been affected. can i brush it off with soap under running water and then use autosol? just worried the autosol will strip more than the green gunk out. it looks corroded too

regards
phaik hooi

 

Phaik, what is it, a bracelet? A belt?
Don't use autosol. Soak it in soapy water for a while and see if you can wipe the verdigris off. If not, try some oil, leave it on for a couple of hours and check if the verdigris comes off.

 

On this piece I think you would be safe by applying some ketchup (believe it or not) to the affected area. The ketchup has vinegar in it which will dissolve the verdigris. Sometimes ketchup may leave a light pink stain though. So you could also try straight white vinegar. Maybe soak a paper towel in the vinegar and lay it on the area so it is touching it completely or just sort of dab it on. It might take a while doing it this way. If the 'silver tone' is plated on it may be damaged by any attempt to remove the verdigris, but it's not really wearable the way it is. Is this a bracelet? I like it.

 

It could be plated, ketchup could ruin it.
If it is an old Peranakan belt, there could be value in it. I see them going at auctions for $75+. Beter safe than sorry.

 

i cleaned it as per instructions. both ends had verdigris. had to use a soft toothbrush to get it all off. not corroded!! couldn't get the dark bits off though, probably caked dirt from all the daily use
it's a belt!

 

Hi Phaik,
A really nice job, well done!!!!!
greg

 

Fantastic result, with no harm, bravo!!!

 

Belt, heck! I'd use it as a necklace!

 

Hi Silverthwaite,
Glad to see you posting again, now tell Mansons to get better.
greg

 

If you only leave the Ketchup on for 5 minutes at a time, it will not damage the plating. After each application, rinse it off thoroughly.

 

Looks great! Keep it isolated from other pieces of jewelry for a while to make sure it doesn't come back. The corrosion can spread to outer pieces if it does come back

 

That looks wonderful, Phaik. Good job! Great belt too.

 

great advice = great job

 

Brown sauce also works. Then dry with a hair dryer.

 

Phaik Hooi, that came out really great...love it!

 

thanx all!!
some stuff were really "caked with dirt/tarnish" i like to use what i can find in the house but autosol was the one thing i had bought specially to clean some of them.