Hi Orchid, I read the thread last month regarding silver dips and
tarnish removers but no one seems to be familiar with this
particular variety. While at the Bangkok gem show a coupe of years
ago I pickedup a bottle of WKM silver cleaning solution. It’s not
available in the states as they do not have a US distributor but I
am so impressed with this stuff I am considering importing a whole
case of it. I’m not sure what’s in it but I think it may contain
some thiols and a light wax. The directions say to spray or paint it
on to the object, wait 5 minutes and buff with a soft cloth. I have
found that soaking a cloth with it and letting it dry, thenusing it
as a polishing cloth is just as effective. Even on pieces that have
just been buffed that seem like they couldn’t possibly be any
shiner, after treatment with this stuff they are SO MUCH brighter.
I’m guessing that the wax behaves a bit like car wax to make the
surface more smooth. Pieces treated this way are highly fingerprint
and tarnish resistant. It seems a lot of folks here are against
using chemical dips and cleaners but I can’t see any reason not to
use this stuff. I’m going to the next Bangkok show in february and
plan on buying a lot more. One 16 ounce bottle has lasted me almost
2 years and I use it all the time. Your thoughts are appreciated…
Douglas
Douglas- What does it smell like? Really. I want to know. It might
be a clue as to what chemicals are in it.
I see that the company web site says not to use on gems pearls
antique and colored silver.
Jeffrey Herman- You heard of this stuff? You da silver man.
Jo Haemer
timothywgreen.com
Hello Douglas and Jo,
I found the WKM Web site http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep80zw but
couldn’t find a MSDS for their instant dip. Reading the cleaner’s
description leads me to believe it’s another acidified thiourea
product that should not be used.
Read more about chemical dips here:
Don’t believe the hype and quick cleaning results. Stay away from
these products and make sure to warn your customers that dips are not
only dangerous to silver, but also to their health!
Bookmark my silver care page Silver polishing, silver cleaning, and silver storage
so you’ll have immediate answers to your silver cleaning and
polishing questions.
Pass it on…
Jeff Herman
I’d definitely be interested in purchasing a couple of bottles!
Please keep me informed? Thanks, Margie Mersky
I emailed them. this is their reply… I told them that I wouldn’t
consider ordering anything unless I know what it is first, not
after.
Herewith presented for your edification.
"We are wholesaler & manufacturer of jewellery cleaner / silver
cleaner, our chemical composition are special for jewellery &
silver.
We also certified by Food & Drug organisation, under Thailand
Ministry of Public Health.
However, could you please kindly advice which product do you
interest, we are able to issue MSDS for attached together with
the shipment."Wolverine Ultra Flux - Caution!
If anyone is using or thinking of using Wolverine Ultra Flux, take a
look at their revealing MSDS here:
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep80zy
Be safe, not sorry,
Jeff Herman
After a small portion of my pre-retirement employment (18 years) as
a HazMat Technician, I really enjoyed reading the MSDS for that flux.
I think I will just continue to use my “Handy Flux.”
John
Reference the MSDS for Wolverine Ultra Flux
I can agree with eh “be safe, Not Sorry” statement, but really this
is no worse than any fluoride containing flux. With standard
ventilation and at source capture of the smoke and vapors, it’s
’safety risk" is quite acceptable in an industrial (in which I
include any place that manufacturers / repairs jewelry) setting.
It like most other chemically active products should not be used on
the kitchen table by a hobbyist… Of course the grey area is the
hobbyist who has proper ventilation setup at a brazing (In jeweler
lingo ‘soldering’) station.
Most MSDS are quite scary until you learn how to interpret the, just
remember most are written not only to provide health and safety
professionals with the needed but are also revised by
the “Cover their ass brigade” (AKA lawyers) so will always show the
worst possible case.
Kay
Hello Kay,
I’m not only looking for safer alternatives of what’s considered the
industry standard, but also thinking about our environment.
Jeff Herman
Hi folks, The product in question is not the instant dip one, though
they do make one of those that says it contains hydroxyacetic acid.
The one I’m describing is called “Silver anti-tarnish and polishing
spray”.It smells similar to how i remember the “Goddards long shine
cloth” smelling, which is why I suspect it contains the same active
ingredient. Thankyou for contacting them, Barbara. I would be very
interested in seeing theMSDS, if you give them the exact name of the
product maybe they can come up with the
Happy Holidays 
Hi all
The MSDS for a lot of the substances I use for jewellery making can
make some pretty scary reading. The one for the Wolverine Ultra Flux
is pretty typical of fluoride paste fluxes such as the Easy Flo flux
that I routinely use for my work. The relevant consideration is to
have your soldering station in a well ventilated area, but the same
should apply to all of your studio.
The MSDS for the investment powder I use is pretty scary as well
which is why I use it in a separate well ventilated area and wear a
proper fitting respirator when handling investment powder. Similarly
the resins, solvents, pickles and etchants I use contain hazardous
chemicals.
If your jewellery making extends much beyond stringing beads you run
the risk of burning, poisoning or otherwise injuring yourself if you
are not informed of the risks and have the expertise and facilities
minimise that risk. So far in 7 years the worst that has happened is
a couple of minor burns which is better than my experience of bicycle
riding over the same time frame.
As for fluoride exposure, I get a hell of a lot more from drinking
the tap water here than it could possibly breathe in from the
miniscule quantities of flux I use. I have gone through perhaps half
a jar of Easy Flo in 5 years.
Yes it is important to be properly informed of the risks associated
with the various substances and processes we use as jewellery makers,
but get a grip as well.
All the best
Jenifer Gow
Tears of the Moon Artisan Jewellery
I don’t know what Wolverine Ultra Flux is, but reading this doesn’t
make me want to use it.
Paf Dvorak
I think I’m the first one here that would say know the lingo and
really understand the MSDS for what it is. It tries very hard to make
you think it is the worst case scenario most times. I agree with Kay.
How ever harkening back to my bio chem days, Fluoride is a substance
that I would stay as far away from in contact, topically or inhaled.
A good vent hood at least if not outside which if it is a slight
breeze won’t work for us.
There is a massive problem and growing in this country of thyroid
problems. One of the main substances that attacks the thyroid is
fluoride. Now all those that have fluoridated water, tooth paste and
such are going to call me whacky. The difference between a thyroid
problem or possibly the thyroid cancers that have risen
significantly, the risk of tooth decay is nothing.
Paf
As far as I know, Contenti is the only jewelry tool supplier that
carries Wolverine white paste flux. I will order it if I am ordering
from Contenti and I need paste flux asap. I’ve gotten white paste
flux from the local Airgas store. Personally, I use Dandix or
Grifflux, but if I run out and need flux now, I just go over to
Airgas. Wolverine flux is nice flux to use.
As long as you have good ventilation, any white paste flux will work
andfor me, as long it is available, I will use it. I have to use
paste flux for I do a lot of prolonged brazing myself, so
self-pickling flux orGelflux (I loathe that crap) simply does not
hold up.
When I was working for a college and they were upgrading for
national accreditation, they made me get all of the MSDS for every
single material, chemical, gas, you name it. By the time I finished,
I used up a ream of paper and an ink cartridge printing them out.
Yes, I made the collegereimburse me. That was 2" of MSDS in the
binder alone.
Joy
Now all those that have fluoridated water, tooth paste and such are going to call me whacky.
Yeah, you’re probably whacky.
But there’s no good reason I can think of to add fluoride to my
diet.
Paf Dvorak
As far as I know, Contenti is the only jewelry tool supplier that carries Wolverine white paste flux.
Ah. This is why I didn’t know. I never use white paste flux.
I use denatured alcohol and borax (yes, I know that you’re supposed
to use some other liquid carrier whose name escapes me, but alcohol
works well enough).
and that green liquid flux if things don’t go as planned and I get
blackness at my join (usually only happens when soldering silver).
I keep it in a syringe on my bench. The syringe has a needle that
I’ve made safe on the belt sander. This way I can put the flux right
where I need it and I don’t get brush hair all stuck on my piece.
Paf Dvorak