Sparkling and in Good Condition
 Wallace Silverplated Holloware   |
by Mitch Johnson
There are some tips on polishing the silver to keep them
sparkling and in good condition. In this article you will learn on how to
polish the silver and what polish shall you use.
How to clean the silver pieces with the gold linings or
lacquer finishes? Here are some tips that can be helpful for you.
FOR BEST RESULTS IN POLISHING SILVER, wash it first in hot
water with a detergent or soap. Then use a good silver polish, based on whiting
or jeweler's rouge, or use either of these two substances with ammonia or
denatured alcohol. Avoid polishes that contain harsh abrasives such as silica.
The electrolytic method, which involves aluminum and zinc, plus baking soda, or
salt and soda, is harmless but jewelers frown upon it. It removes the oxidation
completely, leaving the design flat and the finish dead. Also not recommended
by silver authorities are the "dip and shine" polishes. These are not
only expensive but require great care and caution in use. They remove the
oxidation from designs and have a tendency to "burn" the finish. This
does not mean that these polishes eat into the silver, but that they can cause
a discoloration that is not attractive.
IF YOU USE A COMMERCIAL POLISH, or one of the treated
silver-polishing cloths, read the directions and follow them carefully.
Polishes made with whiting will be white in color, while those containing
jeweler's rouge will be pink.
IF YOU WANT TO MAKE YOUR OWN POLISH get a fine grade of
gilder's whiting at a good paint store it is very inexpensive and apply it with
a damp cloth, soft brush, or sponge moistened with ammonia. Go over the silver
carefully, in straight even strokes, and wipe off the tarnish. Let the powder
dry on the silver, then polish it with a soft flannel
cloth or piece of chamois leather. This is how
SILVER PIECES WITH GOLD LININGS should never be polished
inside. The lining is a mere wash and gold is a soft metal. It can be removed
by just plain rubbing. New linings, of course, can be put in by your jeweler.
THE CARE OF SILVER PLATE is the same as for sterling or
solid silver, but don't rub it too hard or too often, or it will have to be replated. Actually, silver does not need to be polished
vigorously each time you remove tarnish. Just wipe the tarnish, wash the piece
carefully, and it will be lovely when you wipe it dry.
LACQUER OR PLASTIC FINISHES are sometimes applied to
ornamental silver pieces so that they will not require cleaning or polishing.
Lacquered pieces need only dusting or an occasional washing in mild lukewarm
suds. Lacquering silver is a job best done by a jeweler.
IF POLISHING SILVER IS A CHORE, clean and polish the
little-used pieces, wash them carefully, wrap them in tissue paper or special
cloth from your jewelry store, and put them away until needed. They will remain
bright because air is excluded. A camphor mothball or two in your silver chest
or drawer helps keep tarnish away too.
Wash the silver in hot water with detergent or soap before
polishing, use only good silver polish based on jeweler's rouge. You can use a
commercial polish or treated silver-polishing cloths. You can also use fine
grade of gilder's whitting.
When you polish the silverware or silver piece, do not
polish the inside of the silver piece with the gold lining. Silver doesn't need
to be polished every time. Silver with lacquer or plastic finishes can be only
dusted.
About the Author
Mitch Johnson is a regular writer for http://www.kitchen-plans-n-designs.com/ , http://www.mycollectablestips.info/ , http://www.ezcollectablesresources.info/
