Any tips for cleaning old Sheffield plate

[rat-tail]

Hi gang
Short of rubbing my fingers to the bone, or rubbing all the plate off, are there any easy ways to clean really grimy old Sheffield plate. Firstly to say I don't mind copper bleeding through, but it must gleam, not be a dead rust red, then there are all the black marks which just don't seem to rub away, and the silver seems to get a stubborn "goldish" tarnish that eventually cleans to silver, although in the hard to get to bits is impossible, and where silver meets copper there are all these black and brown lines, even the copper itself has two or three different hues which I can't seem to get to shine.
I have an attractive cruet stand, the fancy edge which I presume is sheet silver, cleans beautifully, the superstructure ditto, but the base looks like it has an attack of measles.
Started with Wrights, moved onto Silvo. Am reluctant to use jewellery cleaner as not sure how this will react to the copper, or do an aluminium baking soda dip for the same reason. I used a solution of tartaric acid and lemon juice to clean the brass on the art nouveau chandeliers I refurbished, which would work for the copper but fear this might be too extreme for the silver. Might have to try Brasso. Don't want to replate, made that mistake when I first started collecting.
It doesn't have to look bling, but I do find grubby silver depressing and "rusted copper" ugly. Any suggestions appreciated. - Thanks Frank
PS - Of course here in SA might not have access to the full range of products available in the States for example.

[ashep]

Hi rat-tail.
All polishing involves some degree of abrasion of the surface, and whatever you try I would strongly recommend you experiment first on a piece of scrap or something that doesn't really matter.
By the sound of your Sheffield plate piece it would seem to be very tarnished and with the copper bleeding through. If you want to clean it up without too much damage, I sometimes use VERY fine steel wool and then silvo. It's quick, easy+effective, and looks fine if you do it evenly.
When it's looking ok, wipe it over with a fine oil on a rag, it'll dull it down a bit but it'll stop it oxidising so much again.
If you want you can hand polish it with rouge+a little oil, the oil tends to stop the rouge from smearing.
Regards, Ashep.

[dognose]

I sometimes use VERY fine steel wool and then silvo.

I would strongly advise against using such an aggresive method. As the copper base is already showing through, it is likely that the rest of silver plating will be on the thin side, the use of even the finest steel wool will only make the situation worse. I would just persist with the slow but mild method, otherwise, I fear you will age it another hundred years in just a few minutes.

BTW, welcome to the Forum, Ashep, I'm sure we'll find something else to agree on.

Regards Trev.