How to Remove Gold From Crystal Glasses
Crystal manufacturers apply a gold band to trim the glasses and stemware as a decorative accent. Over time and through use gold banding can wear or scratch. Washing gold-banded crystal glasses in a dishwasher can result in damage to the banding and a hazy appearance on the crystal.
Using abrasive cleansers to clean gold-banded crystal can leave the banding scratched and worn away in places. You can remove the damaged gold banding for a set of crystal glassware without trim.
Things You Will Need
- Baking soda, white toothpaste or jeweler's rouge
- Rag
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Paper towels
Tip
Consider employing a professional to remove gold banding if the crystal is valuable.
Warning
All methods of removing gold banding have the potential to harm the crystal. Do not use paint solvents; they will damage the crystal.
Abrasives
-
Mix baking soda with water to form a paste-like consistency. You can also use white toothpaste or jeweler's rouge. Baking soda, toothpaste and jeweler's rouge are abrasive cleansers that may cause light scratches on the crystal surface
-
Dip a damp rag in the baking soda, jeweler's rouge or white toothpaste. Rub lightly back-and-forth over the gold decoration.
-
Continue to rub until the gold is no longer visible. You may need the crystal professionally polished after removing the gold banding to remove scratches.
Acids
-
Wet a paper towel with lemon juice and sprinkle salt over the top.
-
Lay the paper towel on the gold trim or if the banding encircles the rim of the glass, stand the glasses upside-down on the paper towel for 10 to 12 hours. Re-wet the paper towel with lemon juice as necessary to keep it moist.
-
Rub the gold banding with a nylon scrubbing pad until no gold banding remains. Lemon juice and salt may cause a white haze on the crystal. You may have to repeat several times before the banding is removed.
The Drip Cap
- Crystal manufacturers apply a gold band to trim the glasses and stemware as a decorative accent.
- Washing gold-banded crystal glasses in a dishwasher can result in damage to the banding and a hazy appearance on the crystal.
- Continue to rub until the gold is no longer visible.
- Lay the paper towel on the gold trim or if the banding encircles the rim of the glass, stand the glasses upside-down on the paper towel for 10 to 12 hours.
References
- "New Fix-It-Yourself Manual: How to Repair, Clean, and Maintain Anything and Everything In and Around Your Home"; Reader's Digest Editors; 1996
- "Baking Soda Over 500 Fabulous, Fun and Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought of"; Vicki Lansky; 1995
Writer Bio
Sal Marco began writing professionally in 2009. He has written many online home improvement articles based on his more than 20 years of experience in the home improvement and building industries. He has worked as both part of a team and as a site supervisor. Marco has a Bachelor of Science in management science from Kean University.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
More Articles
