Solder Ghosts

Jewelry Discussion
1

I am self taught and this is one of those things that may be simple
but I need to ask. I never know if I have completely removed a
solder “puddle” that’s not where it is supposed to be. As soon as I
touch it with any abrasive, it becomes the same color as the silver.
Is there a way to tell?

Also, would some of you share your favorite tools for removing
unwanted solder.

Thanks so much,

J. S. Ellington
jsellington@cs.com
432-557-8785

2 
    As soon as I touch it with any abrasive, it becomes the same
color as the silver. Is there a way to tell?

Flux, and heat it with your torch. You should be able to see it
fairly easily. But if your “solder puddle” occurred on a flat
surface, you should be able to see it from the raised area it
became.

    Also, would some of you share your favorite tools for removing
unwanted solder.

Bezel scrapers come in handy, sometimes. Riffler files are also very
useful. Indeed, most files are best for removing unwanted solder.
Strips or other shapes can be hand-cut into emery or other
sandpaper. Mizzy wheels, 3M discs, practically every abrasive wheel
used with the Foredom. String charged with diamond or polishing
compound can get into very tight spots, too.

James in SoFl

3

Hi there

With silver its normally fairly simple to find solder… lightly warm
the piece with an oxidizing flame and let it air cool… the solder
will show As a different tint to the rest of the mettle

To remove solder, well the simple solution is obviously not to use
to Much solder , rather too little that too much, you can always add
solder But when I do slip up it would depend on the surface as to how
I remove it. On flat surfaces its simpler to just file and paper the
surface, between Claws or around tube or difficult places I find that
drawing a hollow wire About 1mm diameter and warming the piece till
the solder is liquid and Touch the area with the wire. Solder will
flow happily up the hollow Wire and away from the problem area… not
sure how effective this will Be on silver, works great on 18 cct and
9 ct jobs as well as platinum

Hope that helps

1 Like
4

An easy way to identify solder ghosts on silver is to hold the piece
up against white paper in good light and examine the surface. Solder
is more yellow in color and stands out. You can also heat the piece
lightly. The solder will darken more than the silver. There are
commercial products available too that can be painted on to reveal
solder seams in silver or gold.

Good luck!
Marilynn Nicholson
@Marilynn_Nicholson
Taos School of Metalsmithing

5

I use iodine whatever kind you get it at a pharmacy. It works on
any metal you would mostly work with. It is easy to use. The surface
turns brown, but you can scribe your seam then wipe off the surface
and cut.

Brad Baumgartle
Baumgartle&Co. Jewelers inc.
New Albany IN

6

Iodine will show the solder marks in gold. I haven’t tried it with
silver.

Mark