Restoring a Rusty Washboard?

Beth

May 21, 20070 found this helpful

A lot of people pay good money to have antiqued whatnots rusted for them! I say go with it. It's rustic, and fits with the object. Plus, if it's an actual antique, you can ruin the value of it by cleaning it. Ever see Antiques Roadshow? ("Oh, too bad you refinished this lovely table. With the aged patina, it would have been worth $10,000. Now that you've "cleaned" it, it would sell at auction for about $100")

Nice washing board looks great Important to know what material you are working with as aluminium is very sensitive to many cleaning products.If steel electrolysis is good but would remove the metal section separately so no damage done to to wood or painted area looks like it is pegged together and the good thing with electrolysis is that it it is the safest method without destroying the steel object check the web many museums use this method to remore old metal ie cannons and steel antiques.Havent had alot to do with alloys but there is a special

In reponse to the above answer you can also make vintage objects more valuable if you know what you are doing.Be informed about making the right decisions before restoring an item it would be crazy to sand down a priceless antique without finding out some history or value first I recently repaired a very old sewing machine made 1895 or there abouts it had seized completely due to negligence left in a damp shed for many years but have managed to get it back to running order without damage to the machine its value before was worthless it now has value more to me as i repaired it people quite often comment on it as it is in going order just another opinion.Have been taking it to shows and use it for displays as is interesting.That is just one example of many items i have restored it is quite satisfying to restore them to original order rustyreks nz

Janice C.
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May 25, 20070 found this helpful

I agree with Beth - MA. Antiques Roadshow has taught us all - leave it alone until you're absolutely sure it's not an antique. Your washboard looks like an antique. Besides, I think it looks really cool just the way it is.

try this website
www.asktheexperts.com
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Chris

It is definitely NOT aluminum as aluminum does not rust!

Just leave it alone. It looks really unique like that.

I have the same washboard and no its not old the they still sell that model Columbus of Ohio washboard company has been making them for many decades. I have found that the best thing you can do is to remove the rust with a marine battery, water, washing soda, a plastic container, jumper cables and clean steel object (nails or file). Put the marine battery or 20 amp battery charger on the wood board. Take some water and washing soda and put it in the plastic container and put the rusty washboard and the clean steel into the water mix and take jumper wire and connect the negative wire (black wire) to the rusty sheet metal and connect the positive (red wire) to the clean steel. Connect the battery or charger.