Topic: Cleaning limescale off a vase

[PaulFitz]

Not sure if this method has been mentioned before but i have just cleaned this Whitefriars vase with Brasso.
Since having this for around 2 years i have tried everything from the kitchen & bathroom, with no luck.
The first photo shows my initial attempt.The limescale was as high as the top fish and i rubbed down to the green mark (as far as my finger could reach).
Second photo shows completed job. It's not 100% gone but all in all,really pleased.
I am pretty sure i can get it perfect.
ps.Just tried it on an equally bad case of limescale Hadeland vases and they now look great.

[chopin-liszt]

Brasso is the right stuff for cleaning old ivory too. A trick I learned from a piano tuner.

How much elbow grease was required for the wonderful job you've done here? 

[PaulFitz]

Hi Sue,only took around 10 to 15 minutes with fairly hard rubbing.The 2 Hadeland (Rocket and a Sommerso)which are smaller,only 5 minutes each.
I cannot believe i have never tried the Brasso before.I use it every day getting scratches out of cds and stand next to the cabinet while doing it and thought why not.
On a monetary view i think the value of the 3 pieces have increased by a lot but the main thing is they are now nice to look at.
Cheers,Paul

[chopin-liszt]

  They are indeed. Very satisfying. 

[ahremck]

You are lucky that you don't see scratch lines.  The material to use is fine cerium oxide(which is what gem people use for their final polish) mixed with a tiny amount of cooking oil to make a paste.  Rubbing with that polishes the glass and avoids the risk of the abrasive scrathing as the material is so fine.

Ross

[PaulFitz]

Hi Ross,thanks for the heads up on the Cerium Oxide.
Just checked with a magnifying glass and can't see any scratch lines caused by the Brasso.Also rubbed the Brasso between finger and thumb and no sign of grittiness.
Cheers,Paul.