2011 Annual precious metals maintenance

[BBQ BOY]

I EDC my small 2010 annual a good bit and now the silver and gold are forming a dirty patina. Any suggestions how I can bring back the luster of the precious metals without messing up the wenge wood?
I guess I could use a dremel, but a polishing compound has me a little concerned. Also, if it were rely gold, would it ever form a patina or lose its luster? I honestly can't tell which is silver and which is gold any longer.

 

[calypso699]

I did a quick image search and found a birth card listing the inlays as "18k gold and argentium silver" but you probably already knew this. I had no idea what argentium was so I looked it up;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentium_sterling_silver

I don't blame you for being concerned about using a polishing compound. You could probably try using some blue tape to mask off the inlays before polishing. Not sure how hard it would be though.

 

[Ken44]

I think you're referring to the 2011 Annual(not the 2010).

I would try only one pin first using a very mild polish and a q-tip to see how it works. Try a very tiny spec on the tip of q-tip, and then dab a tiny spot on the pin. Then flip the q-tip around to the clean end and polish it in a tight circle. If a small amount gets on the wood wipe it away as soon as it gets on it with another q-tip.

I've never done this on mine(safe queen), but if I needed to thats what I would try.

edit to add- I have used several types of polishing compound that got on Ebony, bone, and other materials, and it didn't affect any. I did remove any excess that got on the scales pretty quick.

 

[lemmuhj]

Check at a few of the craft stores, like "Joanns and Michaels etc.. Im pretty sure they sell micro swabs.

Also, i know what you mean about telling the difference between the pins. They look the same.

 

[masterserg]

Try a Sunshine cloth (you can buy them at Amazon). Otherwise, Tiffany sells a cleaning / anti-tarnish cloth that works very well (I think they are like 5 bucks if memory serves).

 

[BBQ BOY]

I think you're referring to the 2011 Annual(not the 2010).

I would try only one pin first using a very mild polish and a q-tip to see how it works. Try a very tiny spec on the tip of q-tip, and then dab a tiny spot on the pin. Then flip the q-tip around to the clean end and polish it in a tight circle. If a small amount gets on the wood wipe it away as soon as it gets on it with another q-tip.

I've never done this on mine(safe queen), but if I needed to thats what I would try.

edit to add- I have used several types of polishing compound that got on Ebony, bone, and other materials, and it didn't affect any. I did remove any excess that got on the scales pretty quick.

You are correct. it's a 2011. Thanks.

Check at a few of the craft stores, like "Joanns and Michaels etc.. Im pretty sure they sell micro swabs.

Also, i know what you mean about telling the difference between the pins. They look the same.

Actually, I looked again and there definitely is a difference between the silver and gold. Just needs some luster.

Try a Sunshine cloth (you can buy them at Amazon). Otherwise, Tiffany sells a cleaning / anti-tarnish cloth that works very well (I think they are like 5 bucks if memory serves).

Thanks. I will look into that.