Cleaning Gilted Buttons

[@TomFromMN]

This video reminded me that there is so much to learn just about buttons. You are an incredible resource that I love to refer to as my Chigglopedia. Thanks as always, Beau.

[@aquachigger]

Thanks for the compliment, and thanks for watching.

[@TomFromMN]

@@aquachigger No one better, Beau. Not then and not now.

[@justty6151]

Thanks for another great video. I'm always open to new ways of doing things and following the experience of someone who got enough restored relics to start his own museum is more than good enough for me. Thanks for sharing and best of luck on the next hunt. looking forward to watching! Ty

[@PineCreek87]

I'm going to put up a video soon called "the worst metal detectorist". Two years of bottle caps, pull tabs, modern pennies and random iron garbage lol... One day I'll find something reasonable enough to show. Good vid once again!

[@jeffwilkes4508]

Thanks for the info ! Will try this myself soon ! I enjoy watching your videos , not only for the great relics you find , but all the usefully info you give to ! Thanks for sharing !

[@Julius44bc]

You certainly have the coolest hobby I have ever seen.

[@BZBadger]

Beau i agree with you and i think a few ppl posting arent getting the idea of using the olive oil. the oil provides not only protection but allows contrast. jewelers use oil to highlight soft gems which i would compare the relics to as in how gentle you need to be, for instance oil brings out the fire in opals which is very delicate and easily damaged by harsh chemicals even water. i use one of those shark steamers to clean my items but have to use distilled water in it, does a great job and that came from working jewelry for years. Good job Beau.

[@leeanncornell8305]

Thanks for sharing the cleaning of the old buttons. : )

[@GA1dad]

Awesome!!! A video from you and Noggin on the same day!!! Very cool!! Thanks for taking the time to show us your technique Beau!!!

[@GA1dad]

Meh! I guess technically Noggin's was posted yesterday,,,,, but it was after my bedtime. Sucks getting old.

[@lazooro]

Chigg has much more knowledge by now and he would not clean anything more with tap water especially more ancient relics, copper coins... Chiggs army 4 ever!

[@milton1792]

Good video! and I enjoyed the comment at the end. Good looking pooch.

[@JanTheDetectorist]

Hi Beau, I use hot Bee wax (real bee wax the one from the beehive) on my relics and bronze coins I heat the items slightly in the oven about 40C° so the wax penetrates and I wipe it off, after the items are cold I make them shine with a soft brush, it works very well to make them shiny and it puts a protecting layer on the items nice video thanks for sharing your knowledge Jan

[@MisterUnconcerned]

Now you have me curious with aluminum jelly. Have to look it up. Used to detail aircraft back in the day (including what became Linda Finch's Electra 10E) and never heard of the stuff. Naval jelly, yep. Thanks for posting Beau. I'm fresh outta the oven with a new hobby and appreciate all the corners.

[@eugeneb.crawford8922]

Nice touch with the dog ending .. LOL..

[@bornkiller313]

just started watching your videos a few days ago, i have to say i love watching them, even though im from mid wales UK its still very interesting to see other things from time periods gone bye in other countries keep up the good work, might have to re-start metal detecting myself one day :3

[@ErlefromVa]

Nice vid Beau, thanks for showing us the methods you use to clean buttons. There are a bazzilion different approaches and opinions I'm sure. But you have a finely preserved collection and always good to hear your opinion! Thanks for posting and HH

[@idighistory8405]

Great cleaning tips, thanks for sharing!

[@lawwdogg1digr]

That is pretty! Thanks.

[@diggitallindadirt3283]

Great information video thanks

[@richardklapka5147]

We all love your tricks Chig.too cool. Rjk.

[@Coinazoid]

Thank you!

[@ianhedlund44]

Great video !!! Thank you!!!

[@88schwyptrlcar]

Very useful, thanks for sharing!

[@xxTOTEMxx]

Thank you Beau!!!!

[@bobbygarmon9933]

good info they turned out nice

[@MUDSWAT]

See that red patina, that happens from adding tap water, it happens to nickles too. The rain and weather water is not the same as most tap water. The harder your water the more it changes the color/patina of a relic or coin. Its good to use distilled water, you can get it at the grocery store for a buck or two. You don't seem bothered by it and you have a good method. So it does not really matter that much.... Good video !! Keep @ it and HH !!

[@MUDSWAT]

I imagine its just the change of water. All that residue, minerals and other stuff. Its been soaking in for 150 years. You then take it out of that environment and put it in tap water. Its a major change and it effects the patina. As I said you have your method, stick with it. Won't change the outcome much....

[@sloanchampion85]

great information

[@HealthyFamilyVarietyChannel]

I love your old videos.... And your new videos!! ....i guess our channel has 3-4 more years to go till we take off. Now if we can just find some fossil PEARLS!!! None yet, but still checking!!

[@blitzb4]

Thanks for the tips!

[@treasurefacts2654]

Blessed is the man that has a wife who will let them clean their artifacts at the kitchen sink! I have been doing it for 25 here! Good video and best to your next hunt. -Jeff

[@treasurefacts2654]

Roger that! I also find crusty rust blobs are NOT good on the garbage disposal! Over and out.

[@treasurehuntingscotlandmud9340]

GREAT VIDEO ENJOYED GL&HH

[@navythomas8]

Neat!!!

[@dumbo800]

Aluminum Jelly is phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid, for those wondering.

[@thejunkjunkie4935]

Awesome video. Thanks for the lesson on cleaning buttons. Now all I need to do is find some,LOL. GL+HH TTYL

[@maverick50616]

great video

[@jamesstumbo6804]

Thanks for the tips, I will definitely put them to use. Hope all is well and as always...GL/HH

[@RustyHaloMetalDetecting]

I was blessed to find the WWII buttons that belonged to my great grandfather the other day! I put them on video if you'd like to see them. I was wondering if I can use the blue goo to clean them as well? My daddy recommended it, he said that he used it on a carburetor piece in the past. I in turn recommended that he watch your videos as I believe he would enjoy them lol! The buttons seem to be large coat buttons made from brass and/or copper maybe? They are covered in los of thick corrosion. I don't want to damage them. I am hoping to make one into a necklace too! Any suggestions? The shank and back are missing off of it. Ty Ty Ty Ty!

[@Hornbush]

Nice!

[@milton1792]

Musings about gilt vs gilded. When you apply it you gild it. When it is finished it has been gilded. It can be called gilded but gilt is okay. Gilt Brass would be the usual term, I think. They use it on Antiques Roadshow all the time.

[@bradleykmdean]

im in Canada and found a Spanish American war button that is gold gilded. its a navy button i heard, ill try to clean it using these methods. thanks for the info

[@CFKoder]

Hey Beau, I'd been told that after using Alum jelly that its a good idea to then slather the button in a baking soda/water slurry to neutralize any acid that remains on the button. Have you used that technique or have any thoughts on if it is worthwhile?

[@outwardjourney]

What process do you use for old coins, say old silver/copper? Would olive oil hurt those? I don't think Al. Jelly would be a good thing for those, but I am more interested in the shine afterwards.

[@49erdigging]

nice tip! I have a makeup compact from the 30s im going to try that on no matter how much gentle washing I did it wouldn't look as good dry as wet! was trying to figure out a way to do it with the wax treatment you give the shells but to much detail and of course it wax lol HH....GL

[@49erdigging]

sweet thanks!!!!

[@TheBayoubreeze]

Will the oil dry out over time? Could you use a wax cover? Just wondering. : ) Thanks for sharing.

[@mtslyh]

Aren't you concerned about the slightly acidic properties of some olive oils? Do you recommend a certain type of olive oil for this?

[@monabale8263]

fang face.awesome...

[@big61al41]

excellent technique...now I ever find an old button I will know what to do...

[@CSM_Gray]

Oiling metal relics that have paint on them can be bad as in weakens the paint. I'm not sure if that is the same for gold gilted things though.

[@bettykuykendall6118]

Coconut oil is really good to instead of olive oil

[@joshuataft5541]

I use oil on some of my finds I've used baby oil and motor oil but the baby oil is better.but need to be redone once in a while

[@simohamedlamrani4381]

i finds more than 3000 old coins in my life , i have never touch them , maybe its the time to clean them , thx for the video

[@Coinazoid]

I found an eagle button just like that accept it had an "a" in the center.

[@Slappos]

I have some really old coins roman coins. How do I clean them?

[@fullsaildigital]

What you think about naval jelly?

[@fullsaildigital]

***** test it on the gold gilted ones. Does a great job. You can get it from Ace Hardware

[@rowanwatson4350]

never really cleaned any of my buttons will this damage them leavening the mud on them they don't really have any intricate designs on them.

[@brookspotts9312]

lol, you said Hooi'

[@mikeadrover5173]

Outstanding! And well-done sir! ‘Keep’-it-coming! Thanks for taking the time to make this video, and I support this site. ~M~

[@Amanwithoutaface112]

aluminum jelly?

[@dmoss8928]

***** What type of display cases do you use to store / display your small items like these buttons and bullets? Where did you buy them as well?

[@andrewmorris693]

is it over yet

[@philippass8425]

Love your vids but you are way off base on this one. To clean a button without harm to the gilt or the button, all you need to do is soak it in ammonia. I prefer Parsons Lemon but any quality brand is fine. It does not harm the Patina. It will be rich brown after a little Vaseline is lightly applied. For those who might be concerned because Vaseline is Petro based, I assure you there is no problem. If you can put Vaseline on your lips without any problems you surely can put it on a button. You can leave a button in the ammonia over nite if you wanted to without harm or gilt loss. Give it a try and let everyone know if it works as good as I promise it does. Buttons found in fields are difficult sometimes due to fertilizer and may take a little extra effort to get the specks of hard crust that's like concrete off. Ammonia is what jewelers use to clean Gold Jewelry.

[@toddisawsomeable]

Haha the vid is 4:20 min long! its funny cause weed.

[@toddisawsomeable]

***** what weed video?

[@toddisawsomeable]

haha thats awesome! i saw that vid. i want to like it but i dont want to change the number. i guess telling you i like it counts