Hi Mark - I'm sure you know how to do electrolysis, but I recently made a button electrolysis setup with things I scavenged from around the house:
an oblong tupperware (type) container (6x12"),
two pieces (about two inches longer than the container) of rigid copper wire,
and some scrap stainless steel.
I already had some, but you might need to buy stainless steel wire
and a couple of alligator clips.
If you have an old battery charger for a cell phone, drill, etc (one of those that plugs directly into the wall) cut the end off and attach the alligator clips. Make sure to get the red (pos) and black (neg) right.
Put water and washing soda (you can use lye too, but washing soda is less caustic) into the container.
Attach stainless steel to one copper rod and the artifact to the other using the wire.
Attach pos to stainless steel side, neg to artifact.
Run it for a few days, checking daily til it gets as clean as you want it - but don't zap it down to bare metal if you want to retain surface detail.
Soak it in water a couple of days then shine it up with brass polish. You can then dip it in a wax sealant, or simply coat it lightly with vaseline.
I burned a couple of buttons to a crisp a few years back using a 12 v battery charger, and was pretty nervous about tis approach, but the lower current output seems to work better with delicate items.
Good luck
Carl Steen
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Branstner <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:52 pm
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?
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"I hope there's pudding" - Luna Lovegood (HP5)?
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