Remelting gold with enameling on it?

Noel,

Yes, I did try this repeatedly with and without the paste. The
result was that I could get some of the enamel off with just the
quenching (no paste), but a skin of enamel always remained. I could
never get ALL of it off without the paste. WITH the paste however all
the enamel comes off.

I do not pretend to know the chemistry involved. The technique was
developed by an engraver in Brazil many years ago. But I do know that
it works! And it’s much safer than messing around with Lye.

Pam East

Dear Orchidians,

So, I heard all your warnings And decided to try The tartar and salt
Instead of the lye. The enamel’s all gone! The gold looks deluxe! I
took back the lye And saved 20 bucks!

Seriously, it only took me 5 minutes to remove ALL the enameling
safety by using lye to do this. I am so thankful several kind Orchid
members confirmed the efficasy of this method.

Larry Heyda

Larry, Glad you took the lye back and tried the tartar and salt. We
deal with enough corrosive acids in our work (nitric acid being
one), without having to worry about lye. Actually, since I discovered
Ferric Chloride, and Ferric Nitrate, I no longer use the nitric
acid, and am planning to take it to the local hazaardous waste
facility that takes in these dangerous things.

Alma

Larry, salt and tartar works like a charm!!! Glad it worked on gold
for you…I was hoping it would.

Noel…I don’t know why this works either…the cream of
tartar…has tartaric acid in it so maybe it has something to do
with how the acid and salt mix in high heat…and can sink into the
enamel quickly and act as a releasing agent… all I know is that
I’m really happy this simple process works!!

Aimee Domash