Just asking here

[gino1]

We have all had to deal with cleaning up preliminary work related to our hobby at some point.
I’d really like to know how you all clean up the various parts to make them look good as a whole. I know you can polish copper with copper polish, but there must be a way to clean copper that is heavily tarnished or dirty. Also, what is the best way to clean the leather that a Pickelhaube is typically made of?

 

[J.LeBrasseur]

Brian is the man, used a sonic cleaner on metal parts and can offer more info.

James

 

[JustinG]

Some things look better with a patina of age. Especially if the rest of the item is looking like it has 110+ years of life. I use a little rechargible air blower (one with no heat) to help dust my items, maybe a light dry cloth with no agents on it. By controlling the ambient light (ensuring it isn't in direct or indirect sunlight, that it is in a relatively stable humidity environment more on the drier side I have dehumidifiers and shoot for around 30-35% humidity. Maybe Brian will chime in as the resident restoration master?

Best Regards,
Justin