Balinese keris bilah color

[kai]

Hello Anthony,

Please see detailed photo of the bilah color.

Yes, it is a bit out of stain. Still, the pamor is visible and there is no urgent need for major restoration unless you prefer it.

I'd avoid using vinegar unless you're going for a full clean/re-stain. Vinegar tends to remove remnants of warangan and you end up with a "white" blade. If so, re-polish the blade as Alan suggests since longer exposure will dull the Balinese polish. After the blade is clean, rub on the warangan/lime juice.

If you thoroughly degrease a blade that shows remnants of warangan, and then soak the blade in lime juice (or fresh pineapple juice), the warangan often gets reactivated and the blade can come out with a stronger stain than it went in. As suggested by Alan, you want to monitor the process very closely as to avoid loosing the polish! I haven't tried the rubbing approach with such a blade - likely to be quite tedious, I guess.

Regards,
Kai