Hi everyone, what’s an Ionic Cleaner and how does it work? Please
be patient with an elderly jeweller who still uses an ultrasonic
or brush and detergent.
Regards, Rex from Oz
what's an Ionic Cleaner and how does it work? Please be patient with an elderly jeweller who still uses an ultrasonic or brush and detergent.
Does the name Speedbrite ring a bell? If so, then you already
know what an ionic cleaner is.
It’s a cleaning option which is not like the ultrasonic, the
ionic plugs in (or may be battery operated) there is an allegator
clip that fastens to a metal piece which fits over the liquid
cleaner. The piece to be cleaned must be touching this metal
piece. There are small bubbles which form on the piece, and
magically remove the tarnish from sliver . . .I don’t know
what it does to gold, I don’t work with gold.
Hope this helps!
Rex: an ionic cleaner works by electric current; you attach an
alligator clip to the piece or to the rack and it goes into a
specific solution. The electric current causes bubbles to form
all over the piece which does the cleaning. You usually have to
brush it afterwards as the bubbles only loosen the dirt or
tarnish. They’re pretty inexpensive…Dave
Kickass Websites for the Corporate World http://www.kickassdesign.com
Crystalguy Jewelry http://www.opendoor.com/stephensdesign/crystalguy.html
Recumbent Cyclist’s Advocacy Group
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I sell a lot of sterling snake chains and have a problem with
customers bringing them back during the summer due to tarnish. This
is an ocean tourist area and between the sweat and salt water and the
hard-to-clean nature of snake chains they can tarnish in as little as
a couple of days. Treating them with Rio’s tarnishield has helped a
lot, but I would like a quick way of cleaning them up that our sales
people could resort to while the customer waits. I am considering
purchasing a Speedbrite ionic cleaner.
Also, is this unit anything more than a transformer and a tank of
soapy water? I guess I am wondering if it is really worth $140
Edward
Hello Edward: Have you tried using a product sold now by stuller
made as a SWEST brand tarnish remover? It is purple and smells like
rotten eggs. I use it as a one dip tarnish remover on silver and also
I use it to ultrasonic gold with pink stain. works the best.
Michael R. Mathews Sr. Victoria, Texas USA
Edward-
The ionic cleaner is EXACTLY what you need. Consider it a sort of
chemical polishing which only takes a few seconds. I’ve been a happy
user for I’d say about 8 -9 years now. Prior to owning my own place,
I worked at the big Z in the mall. They had a problem about 6 or 7
years ago with the jewelry turning brown from the glue in the ring
boxes. The ionic zapped it right off. Also, the 10kt merchandise
used to turn brown in the showcases. It would zap that right off too.
Stanley Bright
A&M Jewelers
Baltimore, MD
I notice that there doesn’t seem to be one standard product for use
in ultrasonic cleaners. I’m looking for a gentle, economical and
effective product that will clean jewelry and other small objects
without doing any damage.Dee
Hi, Michael,
Have you tried using a product sold now by stuller made as a SWEST brand tarnish remover? It is purple and smells like rotten eggs. I use it as a one dip tarnish remover on silver and also I use it to ultrasonic gold with pink stain. works the best.
I am wondering-- is this different from commercial Tarnex? Do you
know what is in it?
–No�l
So where do we GET an ionic cleaner? I’m not finding them by that
name in any of my catalogs. Are they called something else? I see
lots of ultrasonic cleaners, but I don’t think that is what I want.
Thanks!
Beth in SC
The ionic cleaner is EXACTLY what you need. Consider it a sort of chemical polishing which only takes a few seconds. I've been a happy user for I'd say about 8 -9 years now. Prior to owning my own place, I worked at the big Z in the mall. They had a problem about 6 or 7 years ago with the jewelry turning brown from the glue in the ring boxes. The ionic zapped it right off. Also, the 10kt merchandise
Would this ionic cleaner be ok to clean pieces made of silver with
18k gold and stones? Annette
Would this ionic cleaner be ok to clean pieces made of silver with 18k gold and stones? Annette
I’ve used my ionic cleaner to remove tarnish (NOTE: it doesn’t clean
off grunge) from sterling and the different karet golds. It hasn’t
harmed any stones, and that includes pearls, turquoise, & lapis. The
thing to remember is that the metal must be in contact with the
“electrode” clamp and the solution. I wasn’t thinking clearly when I
anticipated using it to remove tarnish from sterling beads strung
with pearls. Very time-consuming to touch each metal bead with the
clamp! Judy in Kansas where temps are hovering around zero F. My
cat really wants to stay in my lap and be warm!
Judy M. Willingham, R.S.
B.A.E. 237 Seaton Hall
Kansas State University
Manhatttan KS 66506
(785) 532-2936 FAX (785) 532-6944
Do you recommend any particular brand? I was looking at a Gemco
from the Kingsley catalog yesterday…
Regards, Audie Beller of Audie’s Images-
Hello Beth,
So where do we GET an ionic cleaner? I'm not finding them by that name in any of my catalogs. Are they called something else? I see lots of ultrasonic cleaners, but I don't think that is what I want.
Do a Google search - it will get you several sites. SpeedBright is
the brand. Cost will vary with the size of the unit and be sure to
get the solution to go with it. There is probably a home-made
recipe, but I don’t know what it is. Judy in Kansas
Judy M. Willingham, R.S.
B.A.E. 237 Seaton Hall
Kansas State University
Manhatttan KS 66506
(785) 532-2936 FAX (785) 532-6944
Beth, I bought my ionic cleaner from Gesswein. The brand name is
Speed-Brite.
I believe that most of the tool suppliers carry it. It is gentle and
works well for removing tarnish. Lori
Hello Edward: Have you tried using a product sold now by stuller made
as a SWEST brand tarnish remover? It is purple and smells like rotten
eggs. I use it as a one dip tarnish remover on silver and also I use
it to ultrasonic gold with pink stain. works the best.
Michael R. Mathews Sr. Victoria, Texas USA
Yes it would. I haven’t seen it harm stones. I keep the solution
in mine for weeks at a time. My process usually goes like this:
1. Ultrasonic to remove debris, Xmas cookies, gravy etc from the
jewelry
2. Rinse off ultasonic solution with water
3. Dip into Ionic cleaner for about the count of 10. (Depending
how bad the
oxidation is on the piece.)
4. Rinse with water again
5. Steam clean
The reason I rinse w/ water so much is that I don’t like to get
nasty things in the ionic since it’s not a heated solution, and I
don’t like to replace it too often. (ie. Jewelers Cramp… when your
fingers curl and cramp up so you can’t reach into your pocket) We
tried using other solutions instead of the pink stuff you buy, they
worked somewhat…but not as good. So I wouoldn’t recommend fooling
with that.
I get my supplies from Stuller, but I’m sure if you were to Google
it, you’d come up with something. The company is wonderful, 5 years
ago, I shorted my machine out-- they replaced it… 6 months ago I
ordered a new lid for it. No problems $5. Machine was purchased in
early '98 for $120 +/-. I use the large rectangular one.
-Stanley