Rare Victorian Forum

So a little over a year ago I purchased an Aesthetic Movement pier mirror which unfortunately is in far worse condition than described, continuing the "love/hate" relationship I have with Ebay.  Now, a new finish is one thing, and replacing the eight or so missing pieces is a second, but the reason I call upon the forces of Victorian genius today is in regards to the gilding.  I would really love to salvage the gold which I have just verified (I knew it was supposed to be there the second I saw it in person) that the original gold remains in the incising but has been covered up with a demonic gel stain.  With a toothbrush, a case of googone and my fingernail, I should be able to finish by 2067 assuming that I have no job or social life in this time.  Does anyone out there no a more efficient way to remove the gel stain without removing the gold? 


Which reminds me... I have a settee that also has gilding in the incising. I did not discover this until stripping the paint off of it and observing the flakes of gold leaping out of the carving and into the puddle of tears that lay at my feet.  My question for this piece is:  There is one finial missing from the piece and I have purchased another period set of finials that are larger than the originals.  My options are to either permanently affix the new finials, re-attach the one original and let the piece tell it's story, or attach the new finials without glue so that they may be replaced if I ever come across another like the original.  I am personally leaning towards the last, but I fear either losing the one original I have or losing one of the replacements that I purchased.  I know the best thing would be to have a replacement made but I am in my early 20's, work part time and am  a full time student which leaves me no money for that at this time.   What do you guys think?

Thank you very much for your reply.  I will leave the one original finial in place .

I hope you attached the finials w/o glue!