Put the buttons in a ceramic cup(s) and cover them with distilled, white
vinegar. After the vinegar turns bluish-green and contains corrosive grit,
dry them on a paper towel and examine using a magnifying glass or scanner at
1200 dpi.

If still unreadable, put them back in the vinegar for another soaking.
Depending on the amount of wear, it make take a couple of hours or
overnight. If wear has rendered the features of the button(s) unreadable,
then the vinegar solution or bath will not work of course.

Pat Tucker
French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan
Detroit

-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mark
Branstner
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2008 12:52 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Corrosion on brass buttons

I know I'm going to be taking my life into my own hands when I ask 
this question, but ...

I have some solid solder-loop brass buttons from a site here in 
Illinois.  We do not have an electrolysis tank.  Short of that, does 
anyone have any suggestions about "gently" cleaning them to remove 
corrosion, etc.  At least for ID/descriptive purposes, no 
conservation/curation ...  I was thinking mild acidic solution, like 
vinegar or even coke, but for brass?

A "mea culpa" to anyone I've offended by asking the question.

Mark

-- 

Mark C. Branstner, RPA
Historic Archaeologist

Illinois Transportation
Archaeological Research Program
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
209 Nuclear Physics Lab, MC-571
23 East Stadium Drive
Champaign, IL 61820

Phone: 217.244.0892
Fax: 217.244.7458
Cell: 517.927.4556
[log in to unmask]


"I hope there's pudding" - Luna Lovegood (HP5)