Dip a sterling case to remove tarnish?

[leehuff]

What do you do to remove tarnish from a sterling case? Has anyone tried those "dips" that people use for silverware? Or, do you use the old fashioned rouge?

Lee

[leehuff]

What do you do to remove tarnish from a sterling case? Has anyone tried those "dips" that people use for silverware? Or, do you use the old fashioned rouge?

Lee

[Jon Hanson]

Please do NOT USE THE DIP-ruins the silver!

Use Mrs. Wright's silver p. if you must polish; or, a jewelers cloth to wipe off.

However, if you make it nice and bright, every time you handle it you will mark it(finger prints)-so why polish it?

Keep the patina and just wipe it off after using. :smile:

Jon Hanson

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Jon Hanson, moderator, nawcc#8801

[leehuff]

I have always made it a general practice to not polish at all. Just curious, though as to what to do for those newly acquired, filthy cases.

Thanks, I will be sure NOT to use the dip

[Jon Hanson]

Hi,

The experts usually use soap and warm water or ultrasonic the cases, then polish them with a light buff and rouge.

Jon

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Jon Hanson, moderator, nawcc#8801

[John Cote]

If you try to use an ultrasonic cleaner, you must be careful. Some jewelry cleaners made for gold items react badly with the silver. Try out the cleaner you are using on something less valuable than the watch case before you go all the way.

I am with Jon though. Really shiny silver cases with no tarnishing in the low points of the engraving look sort of odd.

John Cote

[Jon Hanson]

No, no, I did not imply to use jewelry cleaner in the U. machine. Use a "soft" soap or a "Mr. Clean" type of detergent.

Jon

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Jon Hanson, moderator, nawcc#8801

[Jon Hanson]

I believe Mr. Clean comes without A. and that is the one to use. Sorry I negelected to mention this, but I wanted to see if anyone was paying attention. :biggrin:

Dipping sol. are no good as they have acid (?) in them and this attacks silver.

In my opinion there is nothing more charming than a "virgin" silver cased watch.

Jon

An old ninety year old collector friend of mine used to remark, "look at the beautiful patina!" We all used to giggle and laugh-we (as a result) nicknamed him "patina George."

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Jon Hanson, moderator, nawcc#8801

[Larry Jones 98326]

I will join the minority opinion here - I basically think that anything more severe than a rouge cloth causes unnecessary wear to the case, so I leave silver watches alone. Patina forever!

[Jon Hanson]

Thank you Larry-You are 1000% correct!!!

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Jon Hanson, moderator, nawcc#8801

[Tom Huber]

The best item that I have found for polishing cases is called "Happich Simichrome Polish". It is completely nonabrasive and will quickly and effectively clean gold, silver, silveroid, or brass. It costs about $6 for a 1.76 oz tube, but a tube lasts me for about 2 years. It is routinely sold at motorcycle shops. It is what bikers use to keep the chrome on their bikes clean. I have also found that a very light application with light rubbing will do wonders on a metal dial. It will also clean any stains from a porcelin dial without damaging the dial. Tom

[leehuff]

Steve:

Isn't American coin silver .900?

[This message has been edited by leehuff (edited 02-20-2001).]

[Jon Hanson]

No, sterling and coin silver, not nickel.

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Jon Hanson, moderator, nawcc#8801

[This message has been edited by Jon Hanson (edited 02-20-2001).]

[leehuff]

I thought sterling was .925. All jewlery webites I have seen say:

sterling: .925
coin: .900

Are coin PW cases always .800?
http://www.flutesmith.com/Features/Materials/materials.htm



[This message has been edited by leehuff (edited 02-20-2001).]

[Barry G]

Well, I've had good luck with a non-abrasive product called "Top-Brite" that I picked up at a local flea market years ago. It comes in a tube, and just a dab [and a good buffing] will do ya.

leehuff: My understanding is that the American standard for sterling is 0.925 and for coin is 0.900. The European standard for coin, however, is 0.800. Also, 0.925 is the MINIMUM standard -- many "sterling" cases [especially European ones] are actually 0.935.

Regards,

Barry

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My Online Pocket Watch Collection (http://barrygoldberg.net/watches.htm)



[This message has been edited by Barry G (edited 02-20-2001).]

[L.Larson]

Patina....
OK I finally have some 925 and 935 items, and wondered too. Was gonna try that Simochrome stuff but just didnt want to. And I have one 18s NM item that still has polish residue on it from former owner.
When I told my daughter I was going to have her grandparents silver replated she gasped and said 'and lose that patina?'
With furniture too, its original finish.
So IMHO I will use the items occasionally and hope that keeps em fairly clean and yet some dark in the details.
Now I recall my mother (and others) in the old days kept their silver in some kind of soft cloth bag that was supposed to reduce tarnish.
Anyone have any idea WHAT that fabric was and if it was impregnated with anything?

L.Larson

[Tom Huber]

Steve, you are entitled to your opinion on the abrasiveness of Happich Simichrome. It may be as you say, but it works extremely well for me, and has for years. It has never caused any damage to a case, dial or watch chain that I have cleaned. Regardless, I would still recommend it.

Tom