Silver Polish

[SITS]

I apologize for the off topic nature of this post. I am giving the gift of hand polishing a complete set of dinnerware, silver, for a Christmas gift. If someone could recommend the best polish to use, I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[pdib]

have you seen the method where you have a pan or sink full (enough) with very hot water, a sheet of aluminum foil resting in the bottom and . . .. something (baking soda and salt, methinks) mixed into the water . . . . the silver just needs to touch each other and the foil underwater, and presto-bango. Great for cleaning lots of silver fast.



https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...=tmMKZ55SNVd0UTs0x2N1YQ&bvm=bv.82001339,d.cGU

 

[SITS]

I have not seen that method. I don't mind the work involved in hand polishing the silver if I know the better product to use. The gift is for my Mother and this set has been in the family a long time. My goal is quality and doesn't need to be done before Christmas. She has uses the kind you dip it in to clean it and I want to give her a very a special gift. I've caused my parents a lot sleepless nights over the last 40 years and want to give something back.

 

[glasseye]

Please ask your mom to not use that dip it stuff anymore. It's really not good for silver. If you feel like putting some elbow grease into it, buy some Sunshine cloths or ProPolish pads. You can get them at jewelry supply places like Rio Grande (fitting, no?). Also there is special cloth that you can buy to store the silver in, anti-tarnish cloth.

 

[Roscoe01]

I have not seen that method. I don't mind the work involved in hand polishing the silver if I know the better product to use. The gift is for my Mother and this set has been in the family a long time. My goal is quality and doesn't need to be done before Christmas. She has uses the kind you dip it in to clean it and I want to give her a very a special gift. I've caused my parents a lot sleepless nights over the last 40 years and want to give something back.

Sounds like a wonderful Christmas gift! The most special gifts come from our hearts instead of our wallets.

God bless you SITS and may your holidays be filled with blessings.

 

[pianoguy]

have you seen the method where you have a pan or sink full (enough) with very hot water, a sheet of aluminum foil resting in the bottom and . . .. something (baking soda and salt, methinks) mixed into the water . . . . the silver just needs to touch each other the foil underwater, and presto-bango. Great for cleaning lots of silver fast.



https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...=tmMKZ55SNVd0UTs0x2N1YQ&bvm=bv.82001339,d.cGU

When I was a dishwasher (my first job), that is basically how we kept the silverware shiny. We'd line a bus-pan with aluminum foil, and fill it with hot water and dish soap, and the silverware would soak in it for a while before we'd run it through the dishwasher. I was always amazed at how much tarnish wound up on the foil.

 

[ed101z]

I apologize for the off topic nature of this post. I am giving the gift of hand polishing a complete set of dinnerware, silver, for a Christmas gift. If someone could recommend the best polish to use, I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance for the help.

Check out EverBrite company. They make compounds for all types of metals.
http://www.everbritecoating.com/

 

[MotherNatural]

My father was a silversmith. I've been polishing silver my entire life. We use a polish made by Hagerty. For a large or very tarnished piece they have a polish that rinses off with water. I always follow up with their regular polish that has a built in tarnish preventative.

The dip polishes work well at removing tarnish but don't provide the shiny buffed finish. You'll still need to polish and hand buff after dipping. The other problem with dipping is that it removes ALL tarnish. It often looks better to leave a little tarnish as a patina in the recessed areas.

http://www.amazon.com/Hagerty-10120-Silversmiths-Silver-Polish/dp/B0000CFMQO

If by dinnerware you mean flatware (spoons,knives, and such) a rouge polishing cloth will be easiest and do a great job. Remember to NEVER put the knives in the dishwasher. It will loosen the glue that holds the blade to the handle.

Amazon.com: Rouge Cloth 6 X 8: Home & Kitchen

The absolute best way to keep silver clean is to use it. So many put it on a shelf or only use it for special occasions. Daily use will give it a stunning patina.