Replating Gilded Spelter/Pot Metal/White Metal Pieces (craft, paint, best)
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If possible, I believe antiques should be left in the state one finds them, but sometimes, if a piece has deteriorated so badly, then restoration is preferable. So, I have a couple of pieces of 19th century spelter/pot metal/white metal pieces that would benefit greatly from replating. Is this possible? If so, who reliably does this sort of job, and would it be pretty expensive? I paid just under $200 for each piece.
OP~ It sounds like you want to cover up the "patina" that those pieces earned. Be careful covering up this, as it's usually detrimental to value.
Yes, I agree with you, but in this case, the patina is a bit too bad. The pieces are not found every day, but they are not so rare that it would be best to leave them as is.
Yes, you have to be careful about cost, too. I do not want to put so much money into them as to make it impractical to re-plate them.
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I know this is an old post but just in case......Spelter is poor mans Bronze. So it wont hurt to touch it up as long as you dont paint it with Unicorn Spit.
Have you tried bronze leaf. Uses the same techniques as gold leaf. After you apply it you will need age it so it doesn't look freshly minted.
Rub n Buff could work but you will need to buff it occasionally For me it tends to turn cloudy after a while.
You can get both at most craft stores like Hobby Lobby.
Also if you do decide to replate it will come off with a little fine steel wool.
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