I usually use soap and water for dirt and citrus strip for paint splotches, but that's about it. I have a few signs that look pretty drab. Does anyone have any suggestions for cleaning and polishing signs?
If a sign has crud or soot that soap & water doesn't take care of I use Barkeepers Friend. It cleans without scratching.
There's no cure for faded signs or signs that have lost their shine that I know of. I wonder what the guy does that charges big bucks to restore signs? Resurface the faded areas? I did have a sign that someone had put some type of clear coat on. I looked okay but it eventually started to peal off.
It might be a good idea to use some kind of oil or wax on it to try darkening the faded porcelain.
I use soft scrub for cleaning bath tubs I have had many old porcelain signs they are not as fragile as you think. Dirty is easy to fix with soft scrub. My advice on faded or damaged signs is do not buy them. Take your time and buy the nice ones they will sell for much more when you pass them on.
Quote from: WEBellSystemChristian on February 02, 2016, 11:23:52 AM
It might be a good idea to use some kind of oil or wax on it to try darkening the faded porcelain.
I've tried oils but they seem to only last a few days. Maybe one of those waxes with color in it for faded cars?
Don't buy them? A significant portion of my collection is faded rusty signs!
Quote from: Fabius on February 02, 2016, 09:58:13 PM
Quote from: WEBellSystemChristian on February 02, 2016, 11:23:52 AM
It might be a good idea to use some kind of oil or wax on it to try darkening the faded porcelain.
I've tried oils but they seem to only last a few days. Maybe one of those waxes with color in it for faded cars?
I tried some of the wax (blue). It didn't seem to make much difference.
Jim S.
An old trick for washing the faded exteriors of mobile homes to enhance their finishes is to wash them in Dreft. Apparently it contains a waxlike substance akin to fabric softener . It must work because it is a key to a fast sale in some quarters.