Care of Kaleidoscopes and Preserving their Value

by Kaleido Wonders eBay's largest Kaleidoscope Store

Taking care of your kaleidoscopes can extend years to their life and maintain their value.

Perhaps the number one enemy of most kaleidoscopes is direct sunlight.  It is best to avoid storing or displaying kaleidoscopes in direct sunlight.  Sunlight will lighten most woods (except Cherry), fade the color of flowers and plant material in wheel kaleidoscopes, turn Lucite yellow, and potentially damage wood.

Most kaleidoscopes have a viewing lens, usually glass in kaleidoscopes that aren't toys.  To keep these clean, never spray directly with glass cleaner, but apply the cleaner to it with a  Q-tip or soft clothe dampened with glass cleaner.  Follow the same procedure for any other glass parts of a kaleidoscope.  Spraying cleaner directly on the scope is risking moisture damage which may fog the mirrors or do other damage.

Wood kaleidoscopes and stained glass will benefit from a light cleaning with a cloth sprayed with Pledge or a similar cleaner that will add a light wax coating.  Again, never spray the scope directly.  Always apply cleaners with a soft clothe.

Unfinished wood can be treated with Briwax or a similar beeswax based product to preserve it after it has been brushed or wiped with a damp clothe and allowed to dry.

Lucite kaleidoscopes should only be cleaned with a cleaner specifically made for Lucite, other cleaners may cloud or yellow the Lucite.

Leather kaledioscopes benefit from using a leather conditioner periodically, this will keep the leather from drying out.

Non-lacquered brass and other non-lacquered metal kaleidoscopes will benefit from a buffing with cleaners specific to the metal.  Some collectors enjoy the natural patina of aging metals and let them be, especially vintage or antique pieces.  Like many antiques, cleaning them in a way that removes the patina of age may acutally diminish the value.

Following the above methods to maintain your kaleidoscopes will extend their life and preserve their value.

Please visit our store Kaleido Wonders for eBay's largest selection of kaleidoscopes.

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