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#1
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Parker 51 gold cap tarnish
Hello
I have a vintage Parker 51, gold plated cap. In some places on the cap the gold has slightly tarnished (dull brown/bronze color). Around the jewel (top of cap) and slightly also on the Parker arrow. Is there any way to restore this cap to like new condition easily? -- Nic. |
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#2
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"Nic" wrote: Hello I have a vintage Parker 51, gold plated cap. In some places on the cap the gold has slightly tarnished (dull brown/bronze color). Around the jewel (top of cap) and slightly also on the Parker arrow. Is there any way to restore this cap to like new condition easily? -- Nic. What you describe (esp. the location) sounds like brassing. Use a jeweler's loupe or other magnifier to see if you can discern boundaries between intact gold fill and areas of wear through which the base metal (in this case, brass) shows. If the discoloration is brassing, the only ways to "restore" the pen would be to replace the brassed pieces with correct unbrassed pieces or have the brassed piece or pieces replated. Replating is not perfect restoration because plating and fill are different. But re-plating will look better, longer than worn trim, esp. if the replating job is done well. Replating can be costly and may not be worth the price, so buying an imperfect pen with a good clip may be a better option. If the clip is merely tarnished, use a jeweler's cloth to very lightly polish the clip and cap. Be aware, though, that polishing will make a brassed cap look a lot better too as shiny brass and gold appear similar; however, in a couple of months or sooner, the brassing will start becoming apparent again as the brass base metal looses its shine. ... Bernadette |
#3
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On 2003-11-24, BLandolf wrote:
"Nic" wrote: Hello I have a vintage Parker 51, gold plated cap. In some places on the cap the gold has slightly tarnished (dull brown/bronze color). Around the jewel (top of cap) and slightly also on the Parker arrow. Is there any way to restore this cap to like new condition easily? -- Nic. What you describe (esp. the location) sounds like brassing. Use a jeweler's loupe or other magnifier to see if you can discern boundaries between intact gold fill and areas of wear through which the base metal (in this case, brass) shows. If the discoloration is brassing, the only ways to "restore" the pen would be to replace the brassed pieces with correct unbrassed pieces or have the brassed piece or pieces replated. Replating is not perfect restoration because plating and fill are different. But re-plating will look better, longer than worn trim, esp. if the replating job is done well. Replating can be costly and may not be worth the price, so buying an imperfect pen with a good clip may be a better option. If the clip is merely tarnished, use a jeweler's cloth to very lightly polish the clip and cap. Be aware, though, that polishing will make a brassed cap look a lot better too as shiny brass and gold appear similar; however, in a couple of months or sooner, the brassing will start becoming apparent again as the brass base metal looses its shine. ... Bernadette Thanks Bernadette. Your informative reply is appreciated. :-) -- Nic. |
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