< POLISHING

PROTECTING A POLISHED FINISH

The application of a light WAX or LACQUER to a polished copper alloy cast will help retard TARNISHING, though the addition of any protective layer can adversely affect the reflective quality of the work – a poor quality lacquer coating in particular may discolour with age. The removal of tarnish from a polished work is best done through gentle rubbing with a soft cloth or CHAMOIS, though extreme care must be taken to enure no abrasive particles are inadvertently rubbed into the cast. Handling highly polished work should be carried out under the protection of soft gloves, both to avoid scratching and to prevent the deposit of grease or sebaceous oils, both of which encourage tarnishing (see also SUPPLEMENT).

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