We brought this enamel tray into the lab for cleaning. The dark grime on its surface is thick and unevenly embedded in the layers of a degraded wax coating. This coating was applied originally to protect the surface and give it a glossy shine. I’ve been working to remove it with solvents and our electric eraser tool. The small corner section I’ve cleaned so far is clearly visible in the photos; the bright yellow background enamel shines through, and all the colors and designs are brighter and clearer. The inlaid metal is also polished in this cleaning process, offering another decorative dimension to the tray when light reflects off it.