Lacquers & Renaissance Wax C
Lacquering silver and silverplate is generally not recommended for a
number of reasons: 1. The individual may not properly prepare the
object’s surface to accept the lacquer. 2. It’s very difficult to
obtain a uniform coating, even when applied by a professional. 3. If
the coating is not applied well, it may have streaks and small holes,
allowing tarnish to form. 4. Lacquer will eventually yellow and
crack, allowing tarnish to form within the fissures and eventually
under the protective coating. Strong solvents must then be used to
remove the lacquer and the piece refinished. Take a look at these
pieces: http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep81uw that were once
lacquered.
If an object is placed in an open display where surface protection
is necessary, Renaissance wax, an archival micro-crystalline product,
is recommended. Renaissance will not yellow or crack and will last
for years if handled properly. Renaissance wax is not as durable as
lacquer, so the object should be handled with heavyweight natural
cotton jersey inspection gloves as acid from fingers may eventually
remove it. Since dust can be acidic and eventually wear through the
wax, placing your silver in a closed display will help insure that
particulate will not fall on the object’s surface.
Whether inside or outside a display case, every few months gently
wipe the object with a Selvyt cloth or soft cotton cloth. This will
keep the wax or silver polish with tarnish protectant from breaking
down prematurely.
Renaissance wax should not be used on flatware or other objects that
will be used to eat from. When applying Renaissance, do so in small
areas at a time (no larger than a 3" square). Buff with a soft cotton
cloth or cotton makeup pad immediately. Overlap each area to insure
the entire surface gets coated.
Jeff Herman
Hermansilver.com