Antique Ivory

[Tar]

I am looking for some help in restoring some old Ivory.Both cleaning and oiling/rehydrating. Can any one here offer any advice? Thanks.

 

[hushnel]

I don't know for sure, you could contact an ivory guy for a definitive answer.

If I was doing it on my own stuff and had no source for information I would use naphtha for cleaning, lighter fluid, and olive oil or mineral oil for re-hydration then after it’s stable I would use a sealer like Tru-Oil by Birchwood Casey, that’s just an opinion but I can’t see how any of that stuff could hurt it, it’s all proven safe for sensitive finishes and natural fibers.

 

[rmfnla]

Lighter fluid for re-hydration? Really?

I always thought that was hygroscopic (absorbs water).

 

[Tar]

Basically the idea is to thin down a mineral oil right? Ballistol is possibly something like this isnt it? To facilitate deeper absorbtion, is that right?

 

[rmfnla]

Oh, I see; lighter fluid and olive or mineral oil.

Got it! :thumbup: