Pewter button preservation

kweis

Elite Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2020
Messages
522
Have a few pewter buttons in good shape that I'd like to preserve properly. I've seen some old threads on a water and white glue concoction applied to them so is this still the preferred method. I have some Renisance Wax but not sure that's what I should be using although I heard it to preserve most anything. All thoughts welcomed.
 
I haven't yet tried preserving pewter but have some old spoons. they tend to just fall apart which is the thinned white glue reason. The glue soaks into the pours to bind the metal so it does fall apart.

Renisance Wax is to seal the surface from moisture and air. Pewter needs the glue first. Then the wax to seal the surface.

Guessing you probably have old pewter spoons if you find pewter buttons. Experiment on some of the spoon pieces first to see how the glue works.
 
The white glue/water method is very good. Dousing them with water soluble hairspray works excellent as well. I have used hairspray on a couple of flaky Rev War pewter buttons and they have held up remarkably well now for 7 years or so with no deterioration. I just give then a quick re-spray every couple of years.
 
Quick question, are you guys talking about gluing to preserve buttons that are already flaking and falling apart or buttons that still look good? My dug pewter buttons look great and are whole..just curious if the pewter is going to fall apart on my shelf or if this is something that was rotten you guys are trying to hold together?
 
The pewter I have found is flaking apart so the glue method would hold it together.

If the Pewter you found is still solid then it shouldn't fall apart on your shelf. There is plenty of old pewter around that is in good condition.

If your buttons are good then just a little Renaissance Wax should be all you need.
 
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