Polishing Pewter

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 9, 14 September 1928, Page 15

Polishing Pewter

QLD pewter, once the despised and rejected of metals, is now enjoying a wonderful popularity among collectors of antiques. Because of the lead in its composition and the consequent risk of lead poisoning, its use for food and drinking vessels was forbidden early in the last century. Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers banished their pewter in disgrace; now we find it among their relics, black with neglect, and it seems hopeless to try to bring it to its proper state of blue-back shininess. There is nothing more beautiful than dully gleaming pewter. First of all try the effect of scrubbing in soapy water to which caustic

soda has been added. Wear rubber gloves while doing this. This is bound to have some effect but if the pewter is still too dull to polish with ordinary metal polish, rub it with a cloth dipped in oxalic acid. This is a strong poison, so use care in its use. Then burnish by rubbing with fine silver sand. Pewter that is in a very | bad condition may need several treatments in this way, but it is worth while to persevere, using patience and elbow grease at the same time.