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Question about pottery shard cleaning methods
A professor at the University of Arizona told me my cleaning solution was too acidic and was eating away at the glaze on some Roman-era pieces. I was using a common 5% acetic acid mix. I switched to a neutral pH detergent and a soft brush, and the detail preservation is way better. Has anyone else had to completely change their material prep after getting called out?
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miles_jackson96mo ago
Oh man, that's rough. I once scrubbed a coin way too hard and took the patina right off.
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leebrown6mo ago
Yeah that's the worst feeling, when you're trying to fix something and you just make it worse. I see it all the time with people cleaning old furniture or polishing silver, they go at it too hard and strip away all the character. It's like we're trained to think shiny and new is always better, but a lot of the value is in that worn look.
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vera_roberts5mo ago
@leebrown Preach. That patina is the whole point.
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