Ceramic Coating

Jewelry Discussion
1

Was: Stop copper from tarnishing?

Hi Vernon,

As I said I have piece done 2 years ago and they are still looking
like new.

I make small sculptural pieces out of silver, brass and copper. One
very big problem is tarnishing with these metals.

I have used clear coatings like Incralac and two component poly
urethane with varying measures of success.

For my brass sections, I rather gold plate the whole thing and that
works well, even though the colour is not precisely what I would
like,

For silver, I either nickle plate it, or on occasion I use rhodium
plating.

Again, the colour is not really what I like .

With copper there are only lacquer based options.

This is a problem for me.

So you using Rio’s ceramic coating sounds very interesting.

I went to look at their promo video and what bothers me is that they
use the words ‘tarnish resistant’.

I dislike weasel words like that.

Something either stops tarnish or it doesn’t.

Their words insinuate to me that there will be tarnish over a period
of time.

So my question is simple.

Does it stop tarnish permanently or not?

If the article that is coated suffers no wear, will copper retain
the pink it has when it is freshly polished?

For like ten years, say.

It would be brilliant were that case, and I would certainly buy that
system were it so.

Cheers, Hans

2

I encourage some tarnish on many of my pieces where there is high
relief between surfaces. I like to allow the low spots to tarnish
and high polish the high spots. Once this finish has been created,
either over time or via patination, I have considered a treatment
that would prevent any further tarnish. There are a lot of products
that claim to prevent tarnish, but what do they do to the tarnish
that you want to keep? I am especially interested in the ceramic
coating as they appear to be the best choice. In the end, I am
personally happy with my finish just the way it is, but I get an
occasional customer who wants a permanent solution to tarnish. I
tell them that there isn’t one, but that they can bring their piece
back any time and I will repolish it. That usually solves the
problem. Rob

Rob Meixner

3

This is the best thing on the market to date for tarnish. Nothing is
for ever. but I have been impressed.

Once I saw the abrasion test on it but do not know where I saw it.
You can contact Legor directly and get more detail info. I got this
from a article in MJSA.

Also available as a transparent coating, Kliar can be used as a
tarnish inhibitor that allows the underlying metal color to shine
through"an ideal application for many silver jewelry products on the
market today. Internal testing has shown that Kliar is resistant to
wear, sweat, active chlorine,= and UV. One abrasion test resulted in
the brightness of rhodium plating fading in 15 minutes, while Kliar
appeared bright and consistent after one hour. Coated silver pieces
also passed a TAA (thioacetamide corrosion) tarnish test after being
tumbled in stainless steel media.

The initial test results on silver earned the process points with
Thinking Ahead Awards judge James Binnion of James Binnion Metal
Arts in Bellingham, Washington. "Given the ongoing increase in
metals prices, this will help silver gain more customer acceptance,
as tarnish is one of the main negative issues with some consumers,"
he says. “The Kliar process seems to exhibit significantly greater
tarnish resistance than other existing processes.”

How It Works

Unlike processes such as PVD, which require expensive equipment and
technical expertise to apply a coating to a jewelry object, the
Kliar process is simple enough to be done in the shop with basic
equipment. Using the technique of electrodeposition or cataphoresis,
a jewelry object is coated with the durable nanoceramic particles.

The pretreatment cleaning step is the same as that used for rhodium
plating:polishing the piece to remove any surface imperfections and
cleaning it thoroughly. The piece is then coated using a rectifier
capable of producing up to 60 volts and cured in a kiln. (Any kiln
suitable for enamel or PMC applications would work for Kliar.)

Panama Bay Jewelers

1 Like
4

So it seems that we have this discussion about tarnish and coatings
every year. None of the coatings are permanent. Once applied they
eventually have to be removed before re polishing. It’s a pain in the
butt to do, takes up valuable bench time, and often involves toxic
chemicals.

Rather than make this a problem, turn it into a promotional and
sales opportunity.

When I was a liturgical silversmith I used to give a nice
instruction sheet on polishing and care along with a polishing cloth
and a tub of fine silver polish. Usually Twinkle.

Now I make jewelry. Mostly gold and platinum. Still I always
instruct my clients to have their fine jewelry professionally cleaned
and checked at least twice a year. If they are local I do it for
them. If not, most any jewelry store will clean and inspect your
jewelry for free. I’ve seen fine jewelry that is worn daily and never
ever cleaned. Gross to say the least.

So why not the same for silver, copper, and brass pieces? Make a
nice little kit that can promote you and keep your customers happy.
Give them your business card, a small polishing cloth and
instructions. I’m betting that you can get your name embossed on the
cloths. Better yet offer a lifetime of free cleaning and polishing.
It brings customers back to you and gives you a chance to make a good
impression, build customer loyalty, and most importantly another
sale. “Would you like a nice pair of earrings to match your pendant?”
Remember our best customers are the repeat customers.

Have fun and make lots of jewelry.

Jo Haemer
timothywgreen.com

5

Hi Hans,

The Kliar Nano-Ceramic transparent ecoating is excellent for
resisting tarnish. Sterling silver, copper, brass, bronze and other
metals retain their polish underneath the hard transparent coating,
however I would not say thatit is a permanent solution for
preventing tarnish. I have worked with the Kliar coatings for several
years now and I can say it is much superior to other protective
coatings such as lacquers and waxes. In your case of small sculpture
where your items are not worn, the wear of the coating would be
longer than that of a jewelry item, which could mean several years. I
would be happy to send you a few polished copper and brass samples
with transparent ecoating for you to see and handle.

Ashli Brooke Taylor; Rio Grande Technical Support

6

Ashli, how is Kliar coating removed if one should need to?

Noel

7

Thanks for all the online and offline responses.

I received a direct response from Joe Lovato at Legor who clearly
explained the ins and out of the process.

Much appreciated, as was Vernon and Ashli from Rio’s response. (You
just got to love that company.)

I am about a month away from completing my latest sculpture and I am
going to use this system on it.

I especially like the fact that two different coloured metals can be
joined together and then coated in one shot.

This is going to simplify and remove plenty of the hassles I have
had in the past.

Thanks again.

Hans
meevis.com

8

Hi all

Better yet offer a lifetime of free cleaning and polishing. It
brings customers back to you and gives you a chance to make a good
impression, build customer loyalty, and most importantly another
sale. "Would you like a nice pair of earrings to match your
pendant?" Remember our best customers are the repeat customers.

How well put and the key to a successful business. I have many
repeat tourist customers.

“I buy something from you every year, on my holiday.” I clean their
jewellery and check for wear and tear and will take the piece in for
polishing to remove scratches etc. Free of charge. Why? They spend
serious money with me and like the service.

I also do this for my local customers as well. Jewellery is an
emotional purchase and enhancing the experience brings them back. I
always give them a cleaning cloth for free.

all the best
Richard

9

Hans

Can you share those responses with us? Getting on using
this material has been frustrating.