Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Second place looks like last place!

100 men have competition medals for second place prizes. Sadly the "silver finish" is becoming severely tarnished. The plating be inferior. What sort of good and quick fix can I offer them. I would appreciate any input.

Michael Hein
- Sydney, NSW, Australia
 

Mr. Hein:

You didn't say if the finish was indeed silver. You only said silver looking. If the finish is pure silver and has tarnished, try this trick:

Take an aluminum pan and place several pieces of aluminum foil inside. Add some warm water and about 1/2 cup of Bicarbonate of Soda. This can be purchased in most food stores. The tarnish on pure silver will vanish. When the next batch of medals are made, be sure to ask about an organic coating, such as a lacquer or other barrier to airborne corrosives. This will only work on silver. It can also be used on silverware in the home to save lots of rubbing and polishing of flatware.

Ed Budman [dec]
- Pennsylvania
With deep sadness we advise that our good friend Ed passed away Nov. 24, 2018