Comments on: How do I restore vintage glass ornaments?

By: Pat Shepherd

Pat Shepherd — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 02:34:59 +0000

I would treasure them just the way your grandmother left them.
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By: gnsnfnrs1

gnsnfnrs1 — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 02:15:59 +0000

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).
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By: Tammy A

Tammy A — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 01:48:59 +0000

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.
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By: bookratt

bookratt — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 01:09:59 +0000

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)

By: Tks

Tks — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 01:04:59 +0000

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.
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