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-----Restoring brass sleighbells
Q. I am a professional person, not in the refinishing business, but would like some info in restoring brass sleigh bells. They were given to me by my father in law, and are the real thing. They are very tarnished and the ordinary brass cleaner does nothing.
Thank you,
- Lisbon, Maine
A. Helen, this reply is late to your inquiry so I doubt that you will receive it. You wrote an inquiry on my birthday from a state I use to live in. The sleigh bells are they on a leather strip? If so by the time you get the bells polished the leather will be damaged. I strongly suggest that you enjoy the bells with the natural tarnish (patina) on them. I used to deal in antiques and while I polished many items the bells I always left and enjoyed the sound.
Jon Quirt
- Fridley, Minnesota
Hi Jon,
Your response reminds me that I once read a "Hints from Heloise" column where a reader had spilled red wine on her white blouse and Heloise answered: "If you catch the stain before it dries ..."
I think the stain dried days before the reader even stamped her letter, let alone before the newspaper got around to publishing Heloise's column :-)
While Helen may not get your advice in time, the next person looking for help will surely benefit from your answer!
Thanks,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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