Citric soak

Gavin Nugent · 24th July 2014, 04:16 PM

Question, will a citric acid soak damage or remove or affect gold work?

Henk · 24th July 2014, 07:33 PM

Follow this link and go to post nr. 4. There you will find the answer given by Alan Maisey.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18733

Gavin Nugent · 24th July 2014, 08:27 PM

Thank you Henk, I will refrain from soaking.

Best regards

Gavin

Sajen · 24th July 2014, 11:07 PM

I think that you can't say it for global. When rust is under the gold migrated I never would soak a blade in citic acid but when the gold is firmley attached nothing will happen, this is the experience I have had with blades I have cleaned with citric acid.

Regards,
Detlef

Gavin Nugent · 25th July 2014, 04:41 AM

Thank you Detlef. I will approach the blade with a more hands on approach when time permits and if the gold looks safe I'll deliver a final etch at the end.

A. G. Maisey · 25th July 2014, 09:48 AM

Yes Detlef, I agree totally, that is why I wrote:-

"---That gold may not get through a soak---"

I have found that the most reliable way in which to find out if the gold is firmly attached is to go ahead and soak the blade in some sort of acidic bath:- if the gold is still in place on the blade when you take it out of the bath you can bet that it is firmly attached.

But jokes aside, with any gold on blades, especially the sort gold we find on keris blades, it is best to be super cautious. It can sometimes be a good idea to clean mechanically first, then follow up with very selective and cautious brushing of the acidic medium.

Another way to tackle the problem of cleaning gold ornamented blades is to paint over the gold with nail polish, but this is not recommended unless the gold does look to be pretty secure. The polish comes off easily enough with acetone.

24th July 2014, 04:16 PM	#1
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Citric soak Question, will a citric acid soak damage or remove or affect gold work?

25th July 2014, 09:48 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	Yes Detlef, I agree totally, that is why I wrote:- "---That gold may not get through a soak---" I have found that the most reliable way in which to find out if the gold is firmly attached is to go ahead and soak the blade in some sort of acidic bath:- if the gold is still in place on the blade when you take it out of the bath you can bet that it is firmly attached. But jokes aside, with any gold on blades, especially the sort gold we find on keris blades, it is best to be super cautious. It can sometimes be a good idea to clean mechanically first, then follow up with very selective and cautious brushing of the acidic medium. Another way to tackle the problem of cleaning gold ornamented blades is to paint over the gold with nail polish, but this is not recommended unless the gold does look to be pretty secure. The polish comes off easily enough with acetone. Last edited by A. G. Maisey; 25th July 2014 at 10:49 AM. Reason: correct text

24th July 2014, 07:33 PM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Follow this link and go to post nr. 4. There you will find the answer given by Alan Maisey. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18733

24th July 2014, 08:27 PM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Thank you Henk, I will refrain from soaking. Best regards Gavin

24th July 2014, 11:07 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,415	I think that you can't say it for global. When rust is under the gold migrated I never would soak a blade in citic acid but when the gold is firmley attached nothing will happen, this is the experience I have had with blades I have cleaned with citric acid. Regards, Detlef

25th July 2014, 04:41 AM	#5
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Thank you Detlef. I will approach the blade with a more hands on approach when time permits and if the gold looks safe I'll deliver a final etch at the end.