Hurricane Damaged Silver -- Advise on cleaning and restoring


  #1  
Old 09-30-05, 07:41 AM
jensco
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Thumbs up Hurricane Damaged Silver -- Advise on cleaning and restoring

Friends;
We've just retrieved our family SILVER from Hurricane Katrina... It's been under ten feet of Salt-Water for 20 days...We've used all the old traditional cleaning methods and so far--nothing works... Hopefully, some of you professionals out there will be able to assist.... Your kind attention would be greatly appreciated.... J.Speer ----
 

Last edited by Docduck; 09-30-05 at 08:23 AM. Reason: To remove email addy to direct answers on the forum
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Old 09-30-05, 08:30 AM
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Silver can be seriously damaged by salt. I think any DIY method is not going to produce the results you seek. I suggest you consider taking it to a silversmith. The salt most likely removed any laquer that may of been applied and most likely stained the orginal surface.

For more tips on cleaning silver check here: http://www.doityourself.com/clean/silver.htm

I would also suggest checking to see if your home owners insurance will cover if applicable. And Good luck to you and your family.
 
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Old 10-02-05, 01:32 PM
T
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Unless you had a special policy on the family silver, it is not likely that your homeowner's will cover your collection.

Curators of silver recommend only mild silver polish with tarnish resister like Wright's or Twinkle. Check your yellow pages or with local jewelers to find someone to restore the silver.

They usually use fine calcium carbonate [chalk (whiting)], worked into a slurry or runny paste with equal amounts of ethanol (denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol) and distilled water. The paste is rubbed across the surface working a small area at a time with cotton balls or clean, cotton rags. Q-tips are used to clean details. Overcleaning of details reduces the desired contrast of the detailing. Residual polish is removed by rinsing with distilled water. Adding ethanol to the rinse water expedites drying, as does a final wipe with ethanol. Wear cotton gloves to avoid getting salts and oils from hands on silver.
 
 

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