Aurora

Hi Andy, sorry for delay. PM sent. Aurora

Could you add a picture? Aurora

Waiting for your "chemical experience"!! Cheers, Aurora

Hi Nick, would you introduce me to your Santa? I would be ready for the next year... Aurora

It is time to describe the whole process to remove rust. To avoid an improper use (kids, etc.) chemicals will be encrypted ( you can PM to know them). Read CAREFULLY: you MUST use latex gloves. DO NOT breathe fumes. Use "goggles". Please operate as follows: 1) We have to prepare the first solution. Take a plastic bucket. Fill it with LW. You will add OA's crystals ( one soup spoon per 2 liters of LW or 1.5 glasses per 20 liters if you have to "preserve" a big item). Do not use more OA crystals, you will simply lose your crystals and you could have a yellowish "patina". LW's temperature can speed up the process ( I suggest to avoid high temperature, it could damage colour, don't forget you have an old item in your hands). OA crystals and LW must be mixed very well, you must have a solution with no visible crystals inside. Put your item in this solution for 1 hour ( no more than 1 hour) Every now and then mix that solution to avoid the precipitate. After one hour keep your "iron" ( remember to wear your latex gloves to protect your hands) and see OA solution's effects. Brush your item ( use a brush with plastic bristles). If you are satisfied you can start with the second step. If you want to remove more rust put it again in that solution and wait ( 1 hour), Then "work" again with your brush; 2) Second step. Now you are satisfied. Don't forget you have worked with and acid solution. That solution is still working ( your item is not in your bucket but our solution is working!). Wash it with water (cold water). Prepare the second solution ( you need another plastic bucket). As you remember the first solution was acid. The second BASIC solution helps us to neutralize the first solution ( basic solution: water + SB). Wash your item in the second solution (use another brush to remove any yellow halos); Now you can dry your item. The first solution can remove rust and "improve" items' colour. Advanced collectors consider OA crystals as a Chemistry's miracle. Do not insert more items in the same solution. AN OBJECT AT A TIME! This process can take 1-6 hours ( more rust... more hours) and is specially indicated for fragile objects (with paint...). You can use it when you can't work with steel wool. I suggest to start with an "iron" without value. I suggest a simple philosophy: "learning by doing". Improve your sensibility with a valueless iron and then you will start with your military items. Remember to protect some parts from these solutions ( wood, leather, fabric. etc.). Some collectors protect wood with wax, others do the same with a plastic wrap. Others think they can restore wood with OA solution, I do not agree. DISCLAIMER: I will be not there to check your "first experience" so I will be not considered responsible for damages occurred to people or/and items. Remember all cautions I suggested, Keep away your children from these chemicals. Remember to dispose of the first solution according to your laws. Aurora

Chris, you have to use two different solutions. I sent a PM to Tony. If he is still interested I can send another PM with the whole process. Chris, have fun but remember to be responsible!! ;-) Cheers, Aurora

Hi Tony, I sent a PM. I don't write here because I prefer to prevent improper use ( kids, etc.) Aurora

Hello guys, I would suggest to avoid steel wool in this case. We should have a "chemical approach". It can remove rust and preserve the original colour. Steel wool can make damages to the original colour. If you are interested please let me know. Best regards, Aurora

Dear demir and dfdenizyaran, thank you very much for your explanations. Best regards, Aurora

Hi dfdenizyaran, thank you for sharing. Could you explain why there are stars near crescent? Could you explain their meaning? Best regards, Aurora

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I add these pictures to continue this interesting topic. Here you see an item realized with "balaton" technique. Its gold leaf ( 24 ct because you cannot insert it in this glass if it is not pure gold) is in the glass, not applied externally. It is applied to show a net ( this is what they call "balaton"). Please note the typical triton fish ( with gold leaf inside). Its eyes have been made using a "cane or rod". Cane ( or rod if you prefer) is the basic component for MIllefiori glasswork technique. To realize these masterpieces a Murano master has to work in the furnace for a lot of years. They have to learn a lot of different techniques and have to train without rest to improve their manual ability. Enjoy!

Yes of course, I have to learn it... :cheers:

... or the lion passant ( it is positioned like the lion in English silver hallmark)...

Hi Nick, please tell us what you do not collect... it is easier!! :cheers:

They (Italians) usually refer to this type of glass as "three fires". The first "fire" for the glass. The second "fire" is for the gold leaf (24 ct.). The third "fire" is for the little flowers. They have to work with these items for 3 times so the call them "3 fires". I have to admit that you have a very fine taste. These items have been usually sold as souvenir to all tourists with an uneducated eye. I do not intend to mortify these good items but these have been mainly produced for American buyers ( they have a different taste and as you know, cash is king...) I obviously respect their different taste.( )There are a lot of different ways to work this particular glass (its composition is different form the one used in Czechoslovakia ( now Czech Republic, I am referring to Karlovy Vary). Venetian glass is a complicated world, with its fakes ( yesss, fakes...) Best regards, Aurora

Thank you very much.

Hi Belaruski, could you post its reverse? Thanks in advance. Aurora

A beautiful "German room" !!!

I also started with an OPS ( III class, Soviet made...) ;)

I agree with achern, it is a big mistake.

Hi Zsolt, Thank you very much for your help. I think you have a beautiful hat. I think it is scarce. Hungarian orders/medals/badges are not my field. I am focused on Soviet/Mongolian/Yugoslavian/ other European awards. Your help has a high value for me. Gordon & Zsolt, thank you.