Thread: Beads losing their shine

I know there have been a few threads on this, but I can't seem to find any of them

The metallic silver beads on the fringe in the costume in my avatar pic are losing their shine, probably due to getting a lot of wear from movement/sweat from being against my stomach. Any solutions for getting the shine back, or what to paint them with that wont look dull?

The suggestions I have heard are nail polish, model paint and automotive touch up paint. I've personally tried both the nail polish and model paint and wasn't satisfied with either. However, I'm extraordinarily fussy about my costumes. Once I perceive a flaw, I can't get it out of my head. You might try test painting just a few of them with the different kinds of paint available and see if you like it. If all else fails, those beads are very cheap and you could re-string them or sew new ones on. That is the only thing that has worked to my satisfaction.

I tried metallic spray paint and it didn't work at all - it looked like a very dull gold instead of the bright gold on the paint cap. I would prophlactically spray everything metallic (including costume jewelry) with acrylic sealant, but I don't know how to fix beads that have already lost their color.

Hi
First wipe down the beads w/ a warm damp cloth w/ a diluted mixture of water and Dawn dish soap. You do not want to dip the beads in the water just wipe them down. The dawn soap will remove any oils from the beads and of course the salts from your sweat. To keep this from happening in future dry your cossies before storage and wipe them off often. The salt from you sweat can create an abrasive surface, etch the glass and will compromise the bead lining as well. Make sure that you store your OFTEN used cossies in a cotton bag w/ a cotton sock with some baking soda inside for deodorizer.

You can spray your beads with a shiny varnish to protect them but not if they are attached to the costume.
Andrea

I think nail polish works best applied BEFORE they start loosing color- I apply clear polish to metalic beads & sequins in potential problem spots before they are problems. Unfortunately, I haven't found anything I'm satisfied with for after they begin to tarnish either :(