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.

"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

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.