I acquired a bunch of Roman numerals from ~ five foot diameter tower clock dials that are probably from the 1700s. The numerals are 12" high and are flat stock and contain multiple coats of old paint. It looks like the numerals were first painted black – while on the dial – as there are considerable runs on the backsides. Then later they were painted white, also while on the dial sheet. The numerals are flat strips of metal soldered together. I first assumed they were tin as they were not magnetic. Heavy duty paint stripper did nothing to remove the paint. So I soaked them in a concentrated sodium hydroxide (lye) solution and the paint came off. To my surprise, the numerals were copper.
I'm sure the paint is lead-based. The sludge looks like a slurry of powdered lead, although the lead in paint is a compound – usually lead oxide. There are some solder joints that I need to repair. I may repaint them – carefully – either black or gold.
Here's the stash of numerals:
The front side of numerals:
The backsides:
A few stripped:
Frank
I'm sure the paint is lead-based. The sludge looks like a slurry of powdered lead, although the lead in paint is a compound – usually lead oxide. There are some solder joints that I need to repair. I may repaint them – carefully – either black or gold.
Here's the stash of numerals:
The front side of numerals:
The backsides:
A few stripped:
Frank
