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Parts and Restoration SourcesHere is a list of sources, products and other information for restoring and maintaining railroad antiques and collectibles. The list is based on suggestions from various collectors and does not constitute a commercial endorsement of any kind. Please note the "legalese" footnotes at the bottom of the page -- the "fine print" but important. A separate page lists cleaning and restoration tips that have been suggested by collectors. Also see our lantern restoration page. Suggestions and additions are welcomed (see mail-to link at the bottom of the page), although we reserve the right to decide what may be included in this list. Please provide as much detailed information as possible so that others might be able to find the product or service. Some of this detail is sketchy below but will be added as we get it. Brass and Metal Polishing Products Top Brite Blue Magic Metal Polish Creme KRC-7 available from Chemique Chemicals in Morrestown, NJ. Tarnex (for silver polishing) W. J. Hagerty & Sons - full line of silver care products China Cleaners Softscrub brand cleaner 30-100 volume hydrogen peroxide Custom Globe Production** Quality Glassblowing **Not reproduction marked globes but unmarked odd-sized globes for early lanterns Lantern and Lamp Parts Adams & Westlake, Ltd. Lantern Express (Ebay Store) Southern Lamp & Supply W.T. Kirkman Oil and Electric lanterns Paper Archival Supplies and Products The Archival Company Various archival supplies for conserving paper available from University
Products Various archival supplies for conserving paper available from Light Impressions "Westley's" (product) Plastic Timetable and Paper Sleeves (of various kinds) Bags Unlimited in Rochester, NY ULINE 1-800-958-5463. Restoration Supplies (of various kinds) A company that sells all types of restoration and archival products, for
example, mylar envelopes large enough to hold "horseblanket" style
employee timetables, is: Rust Removal & Cleaning Services Softstrip Paint & Coating Removal Rust Removers Chemicals Super Iron-Out - Stain and Rust Remover Kroil (made by Kano Labs) for "unfreezing rusted parts Chesterton Spraysolvo for "unfreezing rusted parts Zep Commercial Calcium, Lime & Rust Stain Remover Stains on Dining Car Tablecloths Mixture of water and Oxyclean Stepstool Pad Replacements Larry & Doris Krise Restoration and Preservation Tips China Use 30-100 volume hydrogen peroxide (obtainable from hairdressing suppliers).
This is non abrasive and non corrosive - abrasive should be used as a
last resort. Paper To remove mold from hardback book covers, use a little straight bleach on a rag. Use a small amount and don't let the bleach sit on the the cover for any length of time. Brass Items For non-plated brass or bronze items, use a diluted solution of Muriatic acid, available at many hardware stores. Mix the acid with water in a 30% to 70% ratio, take a rag, dip it, and rub the item lightly. Wear gloves and goggles. [Thanks to Matt Baumgartner] . There is also a brass-cleaning method developed by Dave Thorpe and described on our lantern restoration page (look toward the bottom of the page). Silver Items Polishing silver items: In a non-aluminum pan, add a piece of aluminum foil, water and baking soda. Bring the water to a boil and place the item in the water. You only need to boil for a minute or so. The water foams as it removes the tarnish. If the water stops foaming and there is still tarnish, add more baking soda or a fresh water/soda combo. [Thanks to Jim Stover] Glass Peroxide also cleans glass, but never use lye on glass - it will etch it. Rusty Steel Also see Lantern Restoration information on a separate page. Footnotes (1) Most importantly, use this information at your own risk. A product or service listing here does not constitute an endorsement or guarantee in any way. (2) Nothing listed here represents a paid endorsement, nor is there a commercial tie-in of any kind. (3) Some of the products here can be hazardous. Use with precautions and at your own risk. (4) Suggestions are welcomed but please note that we reserve the right to decide what may be listed. Acknowledgments: Thanks to Dave Waite, Matt Baumgartner, Rob Hoffer, Tom Coughlin, David Stover and everyone else who has provided information, especially to the members of the railnet.nshore.org list whose email suggestions have been brazenly stolen for this page. |
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