28 Nov
2006
28 Nov
'06
3:41 p.m.
On 28 Nov 2006 at 14:27, Chris M wrote:
OT - would the effect of Brasso differ much from
"jeweler's rouge", which I'm told is essentially rust
and a lite oil? I've never actually seen it, not sure
if it came as a solid or liquid (or is even still
available). Sears sells these sticks nowadays, one of
them being basically rust colored, so I guess that's
basically it in solid form.
Actually a wax and ferric oxide. Very gentle--I can polish an
instrument having only 6-9 microns of silver plate to a brilliant
mirror-like shine using a 3 hp buffer using 8" cotton wheels charged
with rouge without damaging the instrument. Abuse, of course, is
possible with any power treatment.
If the thought of rouge offends your sensibilities, try a mixture of
whiting (precipitated chalk) and alcohol and a soft cotton rag. I've
seen that used on gold-washed instruments (whose gold coating is so
thin as to be transparent) to good effect.
But stay away from Brasso. If you must, use something like
Simichrome or Hagerty's Silver polish. All leave behind a bit of wax
as a tarnish retardant.
Cheers,
Chuck