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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Nov 9, 2007 15:47:05 GMT -5
My wife had some silver pendants out at a farm craft exebition all sumer They have all come back badly tarnished
What is a good way to clean Sterling silver fine chains ?
and with what chemical / cleaner?
Tried the backing powder and boiling water in aliminum tray it didnt work (as sujested in the ajecent thread)
Thanks
Jack
Yorkshire UK
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Post by docone31 on Nov 9, 2007 20:06:01 GMT -5
Jack, I do not know if it is available there, but, I use Mercon ATF on severly tarnished chains. Mostly if someone goes in the pool and the silver turns black/grey. Another alternative is using a tumbler. Watch for tangles. Always connect the chains.
I use porcelin beads and burnishing liquid.
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 10, 2007 0:00:47 GMT -5
The absolute best thing I've tried is 25000 Vibradry in a vibrating tumbler. It is the weirdest stuff. Looks like wild bird feed but must have diamond powder as it comes in 600 grit through 100,000 grit. It isn't cheap but you use it dry and reuse it over and over. It costs about $30/lb. here so it will really be costly with shipping to UK. You could try experimenting with 25000 diamond compound in walnut shell. The vibradry leaves an oily feeling so it may have some other magic ingredient.
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daddydave
starting to shine!
Member since June 2007
Posts: 44
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Post by daddydave on Nov 10, 2007 12:24:52 GMT -5
Hey Jack, we are semi-professional jewlers. Have a Speed Brite Ionic System to remove dirt and tarnish from our silver and copper. It is simply fantastic!! (no plug for SpeedBrite) Rings, chains, etc. come out sparkling. Nothing like aultrasonic system at all! See if you can find our someone that has one to try out. Only takes a few minutes to do, slightly high on cost for a home crafter, but we couldn't do without it.  |
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Nov 11, 2007 3:58:20 GMT -5
Hi Doc ,John , and Dave, Thanks for the replyes
I will try the sonic Vibe cleaner we have a small one and a bit of silver polish on a trial chain.
Thanks Very much.
Jack
Yorkshire UK
PS
If anyone else has any good tips ? thanks. J
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Post by docone31 on Nov 12, 2007 19:11:32 GMT -5
Jack,
the ultimate cleaner for tarnished silver and "cloudy" gold, is a vibratory tumbler. I use one, actually, I have four that run constantly, with 1mm, 2mm, and 3mm porcelin beads and burnishing compound. I have found tha previb in walnut media really helps. The porcelin beads bring the factory shine back to sterling.
I find, that 1/4 full of water/burnishing compound is almost too much. If it is the correct mixture, I find a column of bubbles about 2" in diameter form around the center post. On top of the bubbles is the crud that tarnished the piece in the first place.
Vibratory tumblers for reloading are inexpensive. With the walnut, or porceline beads, they seem to last forever.
You can tell if there is too much water, the noise just does not sound right. Too much burnishing compound and water slows the beads.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Nov 14, 2007 1:13:17 GMT -5
Hi Doc,
Thanks a lot We will try that I have a vibe and in the process of getting some porcelin beads
Jack
Yorkshire UK
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Post by docone31 on Nov 16, 2007 20:05:11 GMT -5
Fill the vibe with 2/3rds beads, one cap ful of burnishing compound, one pint of water. Should do the trick. Clean the water regularly.
Join the neclaces together. Left loose they tangle.
I love the way it gets rid of tarnish.
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