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From: Walt Vogdes
Remote Name: 24.19.109.15
Date: 08/13/2009
Time: 01:37:47 PM
It's my understanding that the oil will not start any chemical reaction with the pewter, but it is an undesirable solution because it will hold any dust, dirt or pewter "dust" that finds its way into the hinge, and it will thicken over time. The result may well be a permanently frozen hinge (until such time as it is forced open and probably broken). If you use a few drops of liquid dish detergent, and work on it patiently, you can probably get the hinge to open. Then working it back and forth, with care and patience, it will begin to disgorge the dirt and other stuff which has locked it up. You'll be amazed at how much dirt comes out. After you free it up, rinse it well, working the hinge to get as much of the detergent out as you can. It may tighten up again, over time, and require a second treatment. Another solution which has been recommended is to drip hot candle wax on the hinge. The wax will act as a lubricant. If you use this approach, it will probably not be as easy to free up the hinge initially as the detergent approach.