Pot metal <sigh> lamps - getting started

[JasonHysl]

Hi there,

I have a number of old lamps and assorted items (bookends, clock casings, etc) that I'd like to refinish. They all appear to be pot metal. Most are from the early to mid 1900’s, though some are newer. I’ve read an awful lot of postings on this forum, including many specific to pot metal. It sounds like I’m in for one crazy ride.

Here are my initial questions.

• From what I've read on the forum, it seems a smart place for me to start is to test the items to ensure that they are indeed pot metal. What is the best way to perform this test? One post suggests a drop of 10% muriatic acid on a bare patch of the metal. If the treated area is shiny, then it’s aluminum. If it turns dark gray or black, then its pot metal (darkens due to zinc content). Is this the best way to test? If so, how do I ensure I’ve removed all the acid after the test to prevent continued reaction to the acid? Where do I get 10% muriatic acid? How long do I leave the acid on the piece? How long do I wait to see the shiny or blackened results?
  
  
• Many of my pot metal items appear to have an original "shiny" finish to them. None appear to be chrome, copper, or any plating that I recognize (doesn’t say much) - though most are gold colored and polish to a mirror shine. How is pot metal finished like this? If it helps to know: the gold polishes off easily with a buffing wheel - down to shiny bare metal (thank goodness for test items). Assuming someone knows how this finish is achieved (during or perhaps post-manufacture, I assume), is there a way to duplicate this process at home? Is this a plating process?
  
  
• For items with the original (gold-color) finish damaged in places (worn away, scratched, pitted, etc) it sounds like I need to sand blast down to the base metal and start from there to refinish. One post says: “Don't even try Pot metal without sandblasting”. Is this right? Is it possible to spot-refinish and have a well-blended repair?
  
  
• One lamp that I’m dying to see refinished has two figures on a base (all in a single-formed piece of pot metal – magnet doesn’t stick) with a steel band (magnet sticks) attached in the form of a circle, holding yet another pot metal part (inside ring). Everything is held together with some form of solder/weld. Disassembly is impossible without breaking "welds". Is it possible to plate different parts of the piece with different plating? For example, suppose for the sake of argument I wanted the figures chrome, the base bronze, and the suspended pot metal ring brass. Perhaps there is a cover of some kind that can be applied to the area that is not to be plated? (Like when you write on an Easter egg with crayon to prevent dye from touching the area – yes, I have kids.)
  
  
• I'm a bit overwhelmed with all I've read up here (several hours over the course of a few days). I have two lamps that I really want to restore without ruining them. Obviously I'll cut my teeth with some items I don't mind destroying. What's the REAL first step toward refinishing a pot metal piece? What equipment do I need? (I’m currently agape with sand blasting, pickles, etching, strike plate, acid copper plate, etc.)
  
  
• Is there an “Idiot’s Guide to Pot Metal Refinishing” that would walk me through the steps, describe the tools I’ll need, etc.? I would love to know where I should really begin. It figues pot metal would be so difficult to start.

Please pardon any apparent "stupid" questions - I'm new to metal work, new to forums, and believe that the only stupid question is the one I don't ask.

This feels like a is a good start. From here, I’ll work on removing my hair as 48Buick suggests. BTW – thanks for ANY help!