posted on December 8, 2000 02:07:27 PM
I'm selling a Bauer cookie jar and matching pitcher, both of which have what appears to be cold paint decoration, some of which has rubbed off. How do I wrap these to ship so that in the shipping process more paint doesn't rub off? You people out there are sooo smart about these things!
posted on December 8, 2000 04:52:18 PM
You want something soft and non-abrasive next to the items, like a piece of fabric or one of those blue underpads antique dealers are so fond of wrapping glass in (white side against the item). An old t-shirt would be great, but it might gross out the buyer! I would wrap the bubble wrap over the fabric or pad, and be sure to tape the bubble wrap (using masking tape, which comes off easily) tight enough so that the bubble wrap doesn't shift around while the package is in transit. If any other sellers have ideas, I'd like to hear 'em too!
posted on December 9, 2000 06:13:42 AM
as long as someone has brought this up, I could really use some advice on how to clean cold-painted items. I have a bunch of cold painted salt and pepper sets that are very grimy, how can they be safely cleaned without taking off the decoration? we're talking years of dirt.
posted on December 9, 2000 12:17:24 PM
enchanted, I have had good luck using a product using Simple Green (I know Home Depot carries it) on cold-painted items. I spritz the item with full-strength Simple Green and then QUICKLY rinse it under cold water and let it air dry. I have found that the grime just runs off the item when I spritz the Simple Green on it. You probably know enough to never immerse a cold-painted item in water, nor to rub it when it's wet. I have found the Simple Green-quick rinse combination to work most of the time. Of course, the occasional cold-paint item is just going to "give it up" no matter how careful you are. If you are really worried, a slightly damp cloth will help, but if they are that dirty, I'm guessing you need something stronger than a damp cloth!
posted on December 9, 2000 01:08:32 PM
Thanks birdwatcher! I never thought of Simple Green, but I love that cleaner, so will definitely try your tip, thanks. Umm, I'm a cold-paint neophyte so I learned the hard way not to scrub coldpainted items with a cloth and dishwashing detergent.
what were they thinking of when they used paint that could come off in water for kitchen items??? I just have to ask that.
posted on December 9, 2000 03:52:56 PM
enchanted, we've all been cold paint neophytes at one time, and we've all looked in horror as the face disappeared off of a figurine we just washed! <LOL> Cold paint was just so darn cheap (as opposed to glazing and firing), that the Japanese used it on a LOT of their exportware figurines. The stuff that went for 19 cents back then and 50 bucks now.
posted on December 9, 2000 11:27:04 PM
My understanding was that cold paint (ususally reds and oranges) were used because back then there were no glazes available in those colors.
posted on December 10, 2000 05:59:36 AM
I have some porcelain with red and orange glazed on colors which is far older than cold painted items from the 1930's and 1940's.
The cost factor to me seems the most likely reason.
I would wrap the bubble wrap over the fabric or pad, and be sure to tape the bubble wrap (using masking tape, which comes off easily) tight enough so that the bubble wrap doesn't shift around while the package is in transit. If any other sellers have ideas, I'd like to hear 'em too!