For most collectors, the patina that comes with years of exposure to the elements lies at the very heart of a garden antique's appeal. Some collectors love the look and feel of an old surface, while others buy a piece, sand it, and repaint it. If you are considering removing any dirt, lichen, or chipping paint from an antique, think long and hard before you begin, Stein cautions.
Signs of age are easy to take off, but they're difficult to replace.
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