How do I restore vintage glass ornaments?

On Saturday, October 9th, 2010 at 2:44 pm, 5 Comments »

I recently received my grandmother’s Christmas ornaments-from the 1940/50s. They are glass, with shiny metallic finishes, and a great deal of the finish is worn away, marked, or dull. Is there a way to fix that, or a special kind of paint I could use to brighten them up?
Also, they aren’t valuable or particularly collectable, just of sentimental value.

Only on the inside- consider the silvering process commonly used in chemistry demos with a coke bottle. it involves a sugar solution, silver nitrate, and something else- can’t remember offhand.

google silver nitrate glass bottle. it is a simple but super expensive process. Last time I knew, the silver nitrate was a couple hundred dollars for a smallish bottle. enough to do all the ornanments I suppose. This will only really work for the inside. it would take too long to do on outside (besides being monolayer of pure silver-rubs off).

5 Responses to “How do I restore vintage glass ornaments?”

Tks says:

October 9, 2010 at 8:04 pm

Try metallic spray paints. First test it on one that is maybe damaged and see how it works out. You could also try the metallic acrylic paint but either way test it out before you do all of them.
References :
bookratt says:

October 9, 2010 at 8:09 pm

First, make sure none are valuable just as they are. By "fixing them" or "shining them up" you may destroy most of their value.

I would also, if you believe them to be valuable, check with a mirror or glass conservator (try a local museum or university with a glass collection) first, before even cleaning them with anything stronger than a soft cloth.

Make sure it’s lint free, do not use microfiber cloths or paper towels with wood pulp in them. Use just the soft cloth with nothing on it.

After you know they are not priceless, then you could simply clean them by rubbing them with a soft, dry cloth and/or a diluted, mild liquid dishwashing liquid mixed with lots of water. A good mix is 10 drops soap to 1 gallon water. (DO NOT USE ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP, laundry soap or dishwasher soap).

If they’re not valuable, but don’t look to bad, go ahead and just use some paste wax (turtle wax for cars is good) and a soft cloth to shine them up. Or, if you must, use some gilding paint (ie: liquid gold or liquid silver) to touch up some of the bad spots. Don’t do this if they have glitter on them, as it will ruin/tarnish the glitter.

If they are mercury glass ornaments, the actual "silver stuff" is on the inside and they should not be painted at all; the "bad spots" are expected in old mercury glass and most collectors are ok with some "damage".

Good luck!
References :
Personal experience; The Kovell’s TV show (about collecting and caring for antiques and collectibles)
Tammy A says:

October 9, 2010 at 8:48 pm

I would take them to an antique dealer BEFORE I started touching them up. Vintage ornaments are collectors items right now and might be worth more in the condition they are in. If touching them up won’t change the value, and antique dealer would know the best person to contact (or the best way to touch them up). I would not dare offer an opinion without seeing them first.
References :
gnsnfnrs1 says:

October 9, 2010 at 9:15 pm

Only on the inside- consider the silvering process commonly used in chemistry demos with a coke bottle. it involves a sugar solution, silver nitrate, and something else- can’t remember offhand.

google silver nitrate glass bottle. it is a simple but super expensive process. Last time I knew, the silver nitrate was a couple hundred dollars for a smallish bottle. enough to do all the ornanments I suppose. This will only really work for the inside. it would take too long to do on outside (besides being monolayer of pure silver-rubs off).
References :
Pat Shepherd says:

October 9, 2010 at 9:34 pm

I would treasure them just the way your grandmother left them.
References :