Need help cleaning

[sponge]

Found small cross already started baking soda aluminum foil. Gonna take long time

 

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[sponge]

Anything quick

 

[ron lord]

white vinegar and salt. Cover it with vinegar add about teaspoon of salt ,mix well. some things take a few mins. some thing take longer. If you use it for coins, don't put copper with clad. It will turn everything copper color.

 

[GatorBoy]

Tarnex

 

[sponge]

Tarnex

Gator I have heard Lorraine say that. Just a quick soak right?

 

[GatorBoy]

Yeah it's not a coin so if there's no crust to be removed it's just a matter of cleaning off tarnish.
If you would like to leave an old look to it you can use one of those silver cleaning cloths and just by wiping it will clean the tops of the designs leaving the tarnish in the low areas

 

[ron lord]

just remember guy, Tarnex can kill your little one if they get into it, salt and vinegar is way safer . You can drink it, it's safe !!

 

[GatorBoy]

Ha.. My house would be a death trap muriatic acid.. electrolysis..C.L.R... ect...

 

[ron lord]

you are missing the point.

 

[GatorBoy]

OK... I don't think I'm missing anything but what's your point?

 

[bigscoop]

Here's how I do it. As Gator said, if it's not crusty then I'll usually skip the electrolysis, if it is crusty then I'll use the electrolysis just to help remove the crusty stuff. Once I'm down to just the tarnish then I use Tarnex, applying it with a small but fairly stiff artist brush, letting it soak for just a few seconds before washing it off - first with a well soaped up wet rag, then a quick rinse in running freshwater and then dry with a soft rag/towel. I'll repeat this process as many times as it takes. I do well over a hundred pieces a year, some worse then others, and this always works well for me. Chains are usually the hardest - "most time consuming", that and those really crusty rings with settings where the crust and tarnish is behind the setting or deep in the cracks and scroll work, this is where the stiff bristled artist brush comes into play.

PS: I also keep a box of the blue surgical rubber gloves on hand and I use them religiously.

 

[sponge]

First off thanks for the help. This after 10 times of 2 minute dips. I

 

[sponge]

With tarnX sorry about lack of info. This looks like its old. Any suggestions? I bet u guys are hunting right now. Damit Jim

 

[GatorBoy]

Tarn X is not going to hurt silver you could put it in acid and it would be fine... Yeah at the beach now

 

[bigscoop]

With tarnX sorry about lack of info. This looks like its old. Any suggestions? I bet u guys are hunting right now. Damit Jim

Looks to be an old piece for sure. Obviously been in the elements for a while. It's also pretty simple, yet unique and attractive in its design. The characteristics of your cross, in my mind anyway, make it one of those special pieces that probably needs displayed in some way and keeps us coming back for more. I'd take it over a typical modern gold band most an day. How tall is that cross?

 

[sponge]

Im with you on the old finds. Its about an inch. Ill measure it later.

 

[GatorBoy]

Was that on a shipwreck beach?

 

[lorraine]

Sponge, that is a very nice cross find.

You are doing a fine job on cleaning this cross.

Can you see any marking on the back or on the clasp? sterling , or 925?

Can't wait to see it all cleaned up.

Lorraine

 

[sponge]

Was that on a shipwreck beach?

Yes gator it was. By the way when the winds switched I was ready to get some slots. Hobby has got me all messed up

 

[sponge]

Sponge, that is a very nice cross find.

You are doing a fine job on cleaning this cross.

Can you see any marking on the back or on the clasp? sterling , or 925?

Can't wait to see it all cleaned up.

Lorraine

Thanks Lorraine gonna let it sit longer in the tarnX get more pics soon