polish residue

[fripou]

Hello

I want to know if it is ok to soak a silver item in not water (I am thinking of my holy water mural font) , in the hope it will dissolve the polish residue in fine carving.

Could it damage anything, like a old soldering or repair ?

Thank you
François

[AG2012]

Hi,
Do not worry;hot water, no matter how hot cannot damage silver.
You can use soft artist paintbrush,too.
Regards

[fripou]

Thank you AG2012 !
I was sure the silver could not be dammaged
I was more concerned about the solderings

Thank you for reassuring me !

[AG2012]

Hello again,
Melting point of hard silver solder is 700-800 degrees Celsius.
Even lead tin soft solder melting point is close to 200 degrees Celsius.
Water boils at 100 Celsius (at sea level), right ?

Regards

[fripou]

Thank you !

I soaked the wall font in almost boiling water
I tried to loosen the stuff with a stencil brush.... nothing

I let the water cool and tried again.... nothing


I don't know what the stuff-grime is ...
What can I use to scrape it off without scratching the silver?

Thank you

François

[AG2012]

Do NOT use anything sharp, and do NOT try to scratch it with metal.
You can use wooden toothpick, though.
Soak well and try several times - wood cannot scratch silver.
You can soak with silver polish,too and use toothpick again.
Regards

[fripou]

many thanks, AG2012 !

You are a great help !

Cheers
François

[kerangoumar2]

fripou are you certain it is polish residue and not an actual treatment to provide contrast betwen matte and shiny finish? (unless I am looking at the wrong thing . . .)

[fripou]

Kerangoumer2, you are quite right when you say it is not polish residue : I soaked the font for days and the 'thing' does not come off.
It came off at some points, but it is stuck for most of the engravings.

I think it should not be there , as I could scrape off some of it and that the silver work underneath is quite good ; and the placement of the "stuff" suggests it got caught in corners.
Also, it is only on the bowl and not anywhere else ; so I think it is not intentional

I whosh I could remove it