Summary for silver plate from pewter Discussion
Stripping off silver plate from pewter can be done without harsh acids, according to Goran Budija, who says electrolytic stripping is a safe, simple method using a 2% silver nitrate electrolyte, with the pewter as the anode and stainless steel as the cathode. He notes a hobby drill transformer can serve as the current source for small jobs. Another responder advises Martin Rich to consider taking the piece to a plating shop instead, because there may be copper under the silver and possibly nickel in the plating stack, so more than one layer may need removal. That reply also warns not to dump stripping chemicals because silver and copper are biocides, and reminds readers that silver plate is food-safe while antique pewter may contain toxic lead. If chemical stripping is used, any remaining traces may need buffing, though the plating may be too extensive for buffing alone.
Q. I would like to strip the silver plating off an antique pewter bowl, being careful not to damage unduly the bowl. Am I stuck with aggressive acids etc?
Regards,
Martin Rich
Hobbyist – Plymouth, Devon, UK
2004
A. You can strip it electrolytically. This is safe and simple way. 2% solution of silver nitrate may be used as electrolyte (1 lit water, 20 gm silver nitrate, you can add few drops of nitric acid).Your object =anode(+),piece of SS= cathode(-). As current source you can use hobby drill transformer,but only for small scale work (up to 6 dm2).
Good luck!
Goran Budija
– Cerovski vrh Croatia
2004
A. Goran’s advice is appreciated, but maybe you should take this to a plating shop, Martin. You’ll probably find copper under the silver and have strip the copper. Both silver and copper are powerful biocides, so you shouldn’t dump the stripping chemicals. And I would not be shocked to find nickel in the plating sequence either. If you do chemically strip it, you may want to remove any remnants by buffing them away; but the plating is probably too thick and extensive to buff it all away without chemical stripping.
Remember that the silver plating is food safe, whereas antique pewter may contain toxic lead. Good luck.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
2004
Q. What would be the best way to strip a layer of copper from a pewter substrate?
Dmitriy Tsitlik
– Brooklyn, NY
April 1, 2013