Mortice gauge restoration

[rsser]

Hi folks,

This was an ebay cheapie and apart from the finish is in good nick. The points are still sharp.

Most of the brass can be removed and polished but I'm not sure what to do about the milky turn that the finish has taken.

Advice welcomed.

[China]

Looks like it my have suffered water damage, I use one like that all the time it is my main user, I would suggest you try wiping with some olive oil, I did this to some marples carving chisels that had a simillar finish although not milky, it worked quite well. I did not wan't ruin the gold print and it did not

[rsser]

Thanks China.

[rsser]

The wash-up:

Olive oil didn't do much.

I understand there's a bit of acid in it but it's turned out that the milky finish had to come off.

I used ubeaut Polish Reviver with 0000 steel wool. That goo comes with cider vinegar and boronia oil and it worked well.

It left the gold printed maker's mark alone, took off most of the finish, and cleaned up the brass without making it look newly minted.

The gauge will need a coat of two of Danish Oil now though.

[China]

Good to hear it worked out in the end, they are a good unit I have been using mine for 20years + and the points are still as sharp as when I bought it, I have not refinished mine it has just developed it's own patina over the years of handling