Hi all,
I just tried the electrolytic cleaning process described in Tim
McCreight’s book. I tried it on some tarnished sterling silver
jump rings and it worked pretty darn well. It didn’t get every
tiny bit of tarnish but it sure did help. The procedure involves
filling an aluminum pot with a solution of water, baking soda,
salt and liquid soap. The solution is heated and the oxides are
transferred to the aluminum. I have seen commercials for
products, flat sheets of what must be some sort of aluminum. I
assume they work the same way.
My question: Is there another form of this process that doesn’t
involve heat? Is there a way I could apply this technique to
pieces with stones so as not to damage the stones? It is an
interesting, non-abrasive way to clean tarnish. Is there anything
else I should know about how this chemical reaction might work on
fine silver or how it might effect solders?
Thanks for any info!-Carrie Nunes
@tnunes