docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 716
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Post by docharber on Feb 26, 2009 17:26:52 GMT -5
I guess this is as good a place for this thread as any. This is a good way to clean silver jewellry or other items quickly and safely It works for ordinary tarnish but not oxidation, and is safe for most stones in silver mountings. It works for sterling or plate. Mix a handful of table salt, a handful of Calgon water softener powder (for laundry use) in a plastic 3 gallon plastric tub or bucket full of warm water with a few drops of dish detergent added. Dissolve the solids well adn lay a sheet of aluminum foil in the bottom. Place the silver object to be cleaned on the aluminum foil. In seconds the tarnish will dissapear. Rinse, dry, and you're domne. We use this method for large pieces of holoware, too and it's a tremendous time saver. Really bad tarnish may need hand polishing with commercial polish.
Mark H.
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Post by texaswoodie on Feb 26, 2009 17:53:15 GMT -5
Tide soap will do it also. I never used the salt or dishwashing liquid.
I've heard baking soda will also do it, but have not tried it.
Curt
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Post by akansan on Feb 26, 2009 18:14:29 GMT -5
I've used the baking soda, salt, and boiling water on tinfoil method many times. Works great!
There'a thread on this in the Lapidary Tips section. You should add your polish to it!
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 716
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Post by docharber on Feb 26, 2009 22:39:16 GMT -5
The baking soda does that same thing as the Calgon, but not as well. This combo is really faster. I use baking soda for the smqall jobs. I bet the tide contains water softening agents like the calgon. That may be why it workls. I'll sure give it a try. I can use the wastye water for washing the laubndry afterward. I think the way this method works with the foil is to set up an electrolytic cell of sorts. COmmercial platers and jewellers use commercially made machines with tanks and electrodes for the ssame purpose.
Mark H.
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kentuckyrocker
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 217
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Post by kentuckyrocker on Feb 28, 2009 8:25:15 GMT -5
I have always used a very soft toothbrush and close up toothpaste. I have a sterling silver turquoise ring my husband bought me years ago- sit in my ring box for several of those years - almost black when I got it out. Now it is as shiny as new with no scratches.
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