Patina, wear and damage are not synonyms

Vintage gear may show scratches, fading, finish checking, surface oxidation and other signs of age. These should not automatically be treated as defects to remove.

Distinguish stable wear from deterioration that continues to progress: active corrosion, crumbling materials, unstable structures or electrical problems need attention.

Aggressive cleaning can erase marks, finishes or important identifiers. Before irreversible work, ask whether you are conserving, repairing or simply making the item look newer.

For important objects, favour conservative and documented intervention.