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Restoring cast iron and alabaster floor lamp

Q. I have an antique floor lamp, about 75 years, that I am told is green alabaster and cast iron. I took a piece of the metal to Home Depot and they told me it was cast iron. This lamp sat in my damp garage for over 20 years I used naval jelly to remove the rust. Now that the rust is gone, it keeps turning greyish/white. The metal appears to be some shade of yellow or gold. First, is this cast iron? and if you know what it is, what can I do to restore its luster?
thanks...dana

Dana Cameron
tinker - North Ridgeville
January 26, 2011

Precipitated Chalk /
Calcium Carbonate
Amazon

(affil links)

A. Try if it is magnetic; if it is then it is iron, if not it may be bronze, brass or brass plated zinc. Any proprietary metal polish must be ok, precipitated chalk ⇨
and water is simple D-I-Y solution; if it is iron try fine steel wool. Hope it helps and good luck!

Goran Budija
- Cerovski vrh Croatia

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