How Do You Clean Pewter?

[humbersloop]

I have some reclaimed leaded light windows I want to refurb to build into interior furniture. They're pewter, circa 1929, and very grimy. Any thoughts?

[tonyav]

Have a look at this, hippy chick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeNPCuJpYd0

[shoota]

Is it pewter?
Or lead?

[ducksie]

I C&P this from how to clean pewter it might help, only because I was interested in your qestion for my own reasons

Older pewter containing lead will have such an appearance. You won't want to do any polishing on it. Just washing it with water and mild detergent would do. Polishing will actually remove the dark oxidized layer (called 'patina') which protects the layers underneath. Besides, the antique look is highly desirable, so why remove it?

An ancient way to polish pewter is a cool one. Just get some cabbage leaves and dampen them in vinegar. Then dip the leaves in salt and use them to scrub your pewter clean. Rinse with water and a gentle soap after that, followed by drying with a soft cloth.

[humbersloop]

deffo pewter shoota

thanks tony, I'll have a look

[shoota]

If it's old pewter plate or cups or somesuch the rule of thumb is 'don't clean'.
If you need to anyway Duraglit wadding will work.

[humbersloop]

I'll try that on a patch Ducksie, thanks

see my op shoota, they're windows. I think the don't clean the patina on cups and plates advice is more about keeping prospective lead content away from food. They came from Thames House, this is traffic grime and associated muck

[ducksie]

I'm gonna try it as well humbersloop, I have some pewter but from all I've read it better not to polish, mine has lead in it as well - and i just want to polish it up to sell it off

[shoota]

Give these peeps a call:
http://www.peacocksstainedglass.co.uk/repair.htm

[humbersloop]

that's a good thought shoota, many thanks

[shoota]

These folk say not to use metal polishes:
http://www.ehow.com/how_172281_clean-pewter.html
but I believe that is because if it has a high lead content it will be soft and wear away

[humbersloop]

no, I'm not minded to set about them with c21 cleaners, or polish them at all

I think there may be well be something in Ducksie's cabbage poultice that might work, but I'll check the stained glass route too

[ducksie]

Just see how one part goes with my idea, how it works, I'm gonna try it on handle of a jug first, if it works, I'll carry on

[shoota]

Try the bottom Dux - out of sight.

[humbersloop]

...just don't use balsemic ;)

[ducksie]

I know - I was going for the malt :)

[ducksie]

Thanks shoota, better idea that the handle

[ducksie]

Well there you go!!!! scrivens I said that earlier )actually C&P a link that said as much

[ducksie]

I do that too Scrivens :)