I've inherited a pair of early 1960s egg chairs manufactured by Fritz Hansen. The aluminum bases look fine when I'm standing and viewing them from a few feet away. Looking at the bases up real close, I can see that they would really shine if polished with an aluminum polish. I'm wondering if polishing the metal would be considered a bad idea because of the loss of 50 years of original patina. What do you say? Thanks...
Pfft.
Do what makes you happiest, BlackCatBone.
Hjw likes patina, so you should definitely leave the chairs alone if you're planning to sell them to him or someone like him. But if you plan to keep the chairs forever and you would enjoy them more if they were shiny, by all means make them so.
I'am afraid that you are...
I'am afraid that you are worshiping a false God. While it is understandable that one would want to preserve the original finish of a wooden chair or table of a certain importance that was hand made and finished by an artisan in the 19th century or earlier; especially if that finish was of a type characteristic of the period. However, if that finish was damaged, museums and important collectors normally call in an expert to repair the damage and attempt to restore the piece to its original intended appearance.
Now if one talks about a high pressure cast aluminum base that was mass produced in large quantities and annodized in the 1960's, it is ridiculous to dignify 40 or 50 years of oxidation and accumulated dirt produced by smog and atmospheric contitions by referring to it as a "patina." It should not be compared with the "prima patina" of a fine piece of antique furniture. It ruins the appearance and reduces the value of the object.
I would not suggest the use of an abrasive or aggressive metal polish. However, the excellent(but expensive) spray product called "e-nox shine" which is available throughout the world will clean the metal,give it a natural lustre and give it a protective coating.
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