CARE - Yesterdays Gems Minneapolis & St. Paul Certified Personal Property Appraisals

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	Cleaning solutions I recommend

	As an appraiser I recommend to NEVER try to fix or improve your antiques and collectibles unless you are a subject matter expert. More often I see it back-fire when an item gets improperly cleaned or repaired. True collectors of rarities can literally "see through the dirt" and will NOT penalize you for dust etc., but that won't stop them from using it as a haggling point. Also, most people will ask far more for their items after they spent hours fixing-them-up; inflating the price to the point they cost too much. As a result, they are stuck with an altered rarity that they can only sell to an unsuspecting collector who does not recognize the novice repairs. I DO recommend that you hire a professional conservationist to restore & preserve your valuable items. See my AUTHENTICATION page for a list of conservation resources. They are specialists that can assist you in identifying damaging conditions, professionally conserve & stabilize your rarities & collectables. If you must clean non rarities; I use the products below. Use at you own risk, follow all instructions on the label, wear gloves & eye protection, keep children far away and use these chemicals in a well ventilated area.

		NEVER, NEVER, NEVER clean Coins or Rare Medals. According to the Numismatic (Coin) Guaranty Corporation; the value of coins greatly diminishes and can become worthless after they have been cleaned. If I suspect a coin has been cleaned, I will determine it's value as near worthless.

		Removes tarnish quickly and easily — just "wipe and rinse". No rubbing and scrubbing. Lets you enjoy the beauty of your precious metals all year. Safe to use on most silver, however NOT COINS! Please note: after you use this product your silver will be deprived of all protection and should be wiped down with a silver polish (below) to delay it from quickly tarnishing.

		Weiman Silver Cream is a safe, mild formula that cleans and polishes most silver items NOT COINS! It removes tarnish and discoloration without any hard rubbing while restoring silver’s even texture and natural shine. Weiman Silver Cream also protects silver by delaying tarnish formation and keeping silver shining longer. Use sparingly & remove completely, an old t-shirt works great for application.

		Noxon 7 Metal Polish. Cleans and shines stainless steel, aluminum, chrome, pewter, brass, bronze and copper, not silver & NOT COINS! An easy to use thick formula. Use sparingly & remove completely, an old t-shirt works great for application.

		NEVR-DULL is the original "magic" wadding polish for cleaning and polishing most metals. Nothing to shake. Nothing to spill. When I use the wadding, I just take a chuck out and use it to rub or wipe off the tarnish on my brass. When I'm done I return the wadding to the tin because it normally has much more use. Then I give my brass one last buff with a soft worn cotton t-shirt, buffing and removing any of the polish that remains.

		Minwax Wood Finish is an rich oil-based wood stain that provides long-lasting wood tone color. It penetrates deep into the pores to seal and protect the wood and is ideal for staining furniture, cabinets, doors, trim, molding and hardwood floors, or any bare or stripped wood surface. Great for 'touching up", use sparingly, an old t-shirt or a "soft unmatched white sock" works great for application.

		Naval Jelly dissolves rust quickly and without scraping and sanding. Simply brush Naval Jelly on a steel or iron surface and then rinse off years of accumulated rust. Great for restoring tools, grills, automotive parts, and other rusted items. Please note: after you use this product the metal surface will be deprived of all rust protection. Prime and paint surfaces treated with Naval Jelly within 24 hours after application.

		Use at you own risk, follow all instructions on the label, wear gloves & eye protection, keep children far away and use these chemicals in a well ventilated area.

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