Letter 34314

Do electrolytic cleaning plates dull the surface of silver?   +++++ I used an electrolytic cleaning plate to clean silver for the first time last night and was amazed at the results. However I was disappointed to read in a book today that they should be avoided as they "dull the finish and may remove antique shading". Has anyone experienced these or other problems? Rachel Boehmer Hobbyist - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia +++++ The "amazing results" you achieved last night will be repeated every time you use your plate over the years ahead. Of course the plate will remove antique shading, this is merely induced oxidation for decorative effect. Your plate will remove ALL oxidation (tarnish) which is why you were "amazed" at the results. You didn't find the plate "dulled the finish" did you? I would suspect any other information you read in this book. Brian Morris Qwicksilver International - Douglas, I.O.M. U.K ---- Ed. note: For more about electrolytic cleaning of silver, please see letters: 4785, 14623, 16626, 18126, 19396, and 19814.

January 7, 2007 Following on from the silver cleaning question, I have several pieces of tableware made from BENGAL SILVER and ALBION SILVER. They are about 100 yrs old, I would estimate, and believe them to be an alloy of copper, tin, nickel and ?? or what? My question is: apart from using Brasso [link is to product info at Amazon], which is a time-consuming and smelly operation, what can I use to clean the pieces? Could the electrolytic method work even though there may be no silver in them. (My education stopped at general science and I have no chemistry!) I would be grateful for any help on this. Jackie Clark - Sydney, NSW, Australia January 10, 2007 No harm in asking, I suppose, Jackie . . . But it should take no more than 2 minutes to try it instead guessing. Microwave some water to almost boiling, lay a sheet of aluminum foil in a non metal sink or dishpan, lay a piece of flat ware on it, sprinkle it heavily with baking soda, Washing Soda [link is to product info at Amazon], spic & span, or water softener (whatever you have), and pour the almost boiling water on it. You'll see for yourself in seconds whether the results are what you want. Good luck. Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

I recently did put the money out for the electrolytic plate at a home show. I wish I had read this information sooner. In the demonstration the tarnished spoon became shiny immediately in the clear solution. I was rather distraught when I tried it at home and did not get the immediate results. Upon more trials I realized the solution is not clear and the shininess does not come until you wipe it with the "luster cloth," the cloth removed the tarnish after soaking. Now my objects are brilliant.

Rosemary Watson
- Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA

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