Polishing method?

[mc2]

Ok, so I have just finished a wrap, with fancy swirls and curly-q's.(hypothetical question) ,Oh, Sterling DS wire too. I got my grimy fingerprints and smudges on it. My polishing cloth can not get in all the little places. I just had an idea, I used a q-tip. with zam, I could get into a lot of the little places, but, I then had fuzzies all over it. hmmm....

What have you found that works well for you in these situations?? Especially, when one gets tarnished?

Thanks;
Mike

[drocknut]

If you figure it out let me know. I haven't done anything besides use a jewelry polishing cloth but I now have some wraps I did a while ago that are starting to tarnish and need a method to clean them too.

[amyk]

There is a jewely store here that uses windex to polish their silver stuff. I haven't tried it yet. Maybe a toothbrush will get into the little places? Then blow it dry with some of that canned air they use to blow out dust from computer keyboards. You can get it at Staples.

[susand24224]

There's a great thread here (I think under "Lapidary") that discusses several methods--I've tried the baking soda one, and it worked well. I've also tumble polished in walnut shells, which also works.

Susan

[Saskrock]

Maybe try a ultrasonic cleaner for the grime. You can get the little battery powered ones on ebay for under $10. I have one like that from a garage sale, it isn't awesome but it works ok, never used it on a wrap only rings but can't see why it wouldn't work.

For tarnish the best/easiest way is to get rid of it is electrolysis. Just mix a bit of baking soda and salt in hot water. Then put in a piece of aluminum foil. Then touch the silver to the aluminum. It removes the tarnish very quickly and because it reverses the reaction that causes tarnish you don't loose silver. If you have never seen this done check out this video I found its so cool.

[Bikerrandy]

I use argentium sterling silver from Rio Grande, and always wash my hands good before wrapping. I also polish the wire before wrapping using Mothers wheel polish (auto parts store) and a good paper towel (Bounty)

[FrogAndBearCreations]

I think washing your hands before wrapping and after polishing the wire is a real good start to keeping it clean. I always polish the wire after I cut it as that is also a good way to make it straight.
I also will stop and wash my hands again if I feel them getting sweaty during the wrapping.

After wrapping I package each piece up with an anti tarnish paper square.
Stuff thats been around a bit I will polish with a Sunshine cloth if it looks a bit tarnished and put back into its bag with the anti tarnish paper.

Hope this helps

[amyk]

That video is amazing. I gotta try that.

[Bejewelme]

I think the baking soda on aluminum foil works best for wraps where you don't want to damage the stone, I have a great silver cleaner I dunk stuff in but it can mar the shine on some stones. Storing with the anti tarnish squares really helps or at least keep the wraps inside something a ryker box or jewelry box, etc, left out silver will tarnish quickly

[kjohn0102]

Tumble in steel shot with a drop of liquid dishwashing soap. You will be amazed at the shine you get!
kj

[Larry]

I have never done anything after the piece is wrapped so I'm a little slow with this stuff. It seems the steel shot will beat up your wire or stone, is that not the case? I assume you only tumble one piece at a time, correct? Also, how long do you tumble that for?

Sorry for the barrage of questions and thanks in advance for any answers.

BTW, that video makes me want to search for some tarnished silver now. Very cool!

[Tony W]

I use Zam on a buff wheel, and Zam with Dremel buffs. I just bought some 3m bristle discs that look like they will be just the ticket for nooks and crannies. At least they are great on my smithy stuff. Haven't tried them on the wraps yet, but don't think I can hit the stone with them, so I'd just use them on the bindings and the bail. They come in lots of grits. I'm not above removing the stone on a wrap to clean the wire real good which is probably the best way with the bristle discs if a vibe bath with steel shot and burnishing compound doesn't get the tiny places. T

[Wolfden]

whats wiff the ads next too the video ? .... we / Shannon uses steel shot in the vib tumbler

Wolf

[Deleted]

Larry,

The steel shot does NOT beat up the metal or the stone. I have successfully tumbled opal wrapped in 14kt gold with no ill effects. The stainless shot shines the piece well and as an added bonus, smooths/deburrs and hardens the metal.

Shannon

[Jack ( Yorkshire)]

Larry

I put several pieces in at a time they all come out well and as Shannon says" Stainless Steel Shot shines ----smooths deburs and hardens the metal"

I particulary like tumbling chain This comes out with a excelent polish on it, far far superior to hand polishing

I run mine for 1 to 1 1/2 hours . with "Barrel Bright " polish /soap cleaner

Jack
Yorkshire uk

[Larry]

Thanks very much for the info. I'll have to give it a try.