preserving the koftgari

[Valjhun]

hi there,

I've bought a couple of indian weapons recently (yes, not my area, but they just too nice) and so, I would be gratefull if you give me some hints how to preserve the vanishing koftgari work. Is it enough to oil it (maybe with wd 40) onece in a while? Have you any expirerience with preserving laquers ecc.?

Thanks in advance.

[Jens Nordlunde]

Hi Valjhun,

I do understand if Indian weapons catch you, they are fascinating:).

You can use W40 when cleaning the weapons, but I would not use it permanently, to my opinion you should use sewing machine oil. It is a neutral oil and very good, but for preserving I would use solid car wax, I have used it for many years, and it keeps longer than oil.

There can be several problems trying to preserve koft gari, on is if the rust has gone under the gold/silver inlay, if this is the case I don’t think you can do anything, but maybe someone else, who knows more than I can give a suggestion to what you can do.


I can't help you about laque work - sorry


Best of luck

Jens

[Valjhun]

Jens, many thanks!

What do you mean by "solid" car wax? Never seen such preparate for sale... :confused:

Has anybody experience with laquers? Personally I'd use one of thoose clear laquers for coin collectors or for modellers, it should be fairly permanent, but I'm REALLY scared to damage the hilts.... :eek:

[Jens Nordlunde]

Hi Valjhun,

I mean non-fluid car wax. I don’t know how fluid wax performs, but I do know that solid wax has worked for me for more than forty years.

I wish you all the best of luck with your ‘new’ Indian pieces, and hope for you that it will be many more.

Jens

[Battara]

There is another type of wax used in the British Museum called Renaissance Wax. google it and you can purchase it - I use it on my toys often. :D

[RomaRana]

hi there,

maybe with wd 40 onece in a while? Have you any expirerience with preserving laquers ecc.?



WD 40 is bad news. I worked for a gunsmith and every once in a while somebody would bring in a gun with 10-15 years of wd 40 use on it. WD-40 breaks down and turns into a form of varnish over the years.

[Valjhun]

There is another type of wax used in the British Museum called Renaissance Wax. google it and you can purchase it - I use it on my toys often. :D

Great product! I've bought it and I'm verry satisfied with it!

[ALEX]

Great product! I've bought it and I'm verry satisfied with it!

Yes, I have also heard of Ren Wax as beind non-acidic, and especially suitable for Damascus Steel. Presumable, regular car wax has some small amount of acid and can harm/darken Damascus pattern after a while.

Valjhun, I have a question for you:
I bought a can of Ren Wax via E-Bay a while ago. It came without any seal, and I am not sure I got the "Real Deal". Is original Ren Wax of white color, soft and has very distinct smell of a shoe polish?????

[Valjhun]

Hmmm... I recived it quite the same... I guess that's it.. :)

[ALEX]

Hmmm... I recived it quite the same... I guess that's it.. :)


Thanks Valjhun.

Are there any other Ren Wax users who can comment on the raised question?????

[Andrew]

Is original Ren Wax of white color, soft and has very distinct smell of a shoe polish?????


That's the stuff. :)

[Spunjer]

this one:
http://www.stilesandbates.co.uk/images/Renaissance_NEWS.jpg