Home Page • About Me • Before & After Images • Services Offered • Repair Issues • Resources
 Frequently Asked Questions • Silver Care • Silver Glossary • Shop Views • The Library
Engraving Samples • Testimonials • Work Order.doc / .pdf • Contact

 
• Silver Polish Abrasion Ratings •
Silver Polish Abrasion Ratings.pdf
Updated (4.21.2013)

Don't forget to read my Silver Care Guide!

• Copper Polish Abrasion Ratings •

You certainly wouldn't use an auto body grinder to polish your silver, so why are you using products that could do similar damage? It's because they remove tarnish at light speed, right? Well, it's time to stop ruining your sterling and silverplated objects and start treating them with the love and respect they deserve. Below are the results of products tested in my workshop for tarnish removal. There are currently NO silver polishes on the market that are non-abrasive, though, many proclaim to be. See how your polish rates among many others – you may be VERY surprised! No Abrasion (These products will only remove very light tarnish (see the results here) – I recommend using them on a cotton ball prior to any silver polishes. Visit the Silver Care page for the use of each product.) • Dawn Dishwashing Liquid (phosphate-free, not lemon-scented) • Purell Original Formula • Windex Multi-Surface Vinegar * If none of the above products work, try one of the polishes below on a moist cellulose sponge or cotton ball using a light touch. Rotate the sponge or cotton ball regularly to expose unused surfaces, as elements in the tarnish itself can be very abrasive. Extremely Mild Abrasion • 3M Tarni-Shield Silver Polish (rinse and dry, brightens & protects)       Preferred for its tarnish protection. • Blitz Silver Polish (rinse and dry or let dry and buff, brightens & protects) • Earth Friendly Silver Polish (rinse and dry, maintains original finish, no protection)       Preferred for maintaining the object's original finish. • Twinkle Silver Polish (rinse and dry, brightens & protects) See resources for supplier information.  If none of the above products work, try one of the polishes below on a moist cellulose sponge or cotton ball using a light touch. Rotate the sponge or cotton ball regularly to expose unused surfaces, as elements in the tarnish itself can be very abrasive. Very Mild Abrasion • Goddard's Silver Polish Liquid (rinse and dry, brightens & protects) • Goddard's Silver Polish Foam (rinse and dry, brightens & protects) • Town Talk Silver Polish (rinse and dry, brightens & protects) • Weiman Silver Polish (rinse and dry or let dry and buff, brightens & protects) See resources for supplier information. * If none of the above products work, try one of the polishes below on a moist cellulose sponge or cotton ball using a light touch. Rotate the sponge or cotton ball regularly to expose unused surfaces, as elements in the tarnish itself can be very abrasive. Mild Abrasion • Hagerty's Silversmiths' Wash (rinse and dry, brightens & protects) • Wright's Silver Polish (rinse and dry, brightens, no protection) • Wright’s Anti-Tarnish Silver Polish (rinse and dry, brightens & protects) See resources for supplier information. * If none of the above products work, contact me. Do NOT use any of the products below! Extreme Abrasion The below products will absolutely ruin the finish on solid silver in various degrees and may even abrade through silverplate to the base metal. ALL products that have "metal polish" in their name are much too harsh. Oxidized brass, copper,  and especially aluminum require greater abrasion for successful results. Silver requires it's own  special polish to more gently accomplish this job. • 3M Scotch-Brite pads • Baking soda • Cleansers • Felt • Howard's Pine-Ola • Ketchup: Though it's non-abrasive and does remove very light tarnish, ketchup is extremely     acidic and may gradually etch and dull silver. You will then have to use one of the polishes above     to brighten the surface. • Maas • Nevr-Dull Magic Wadding Polish • Noxon • Polishing gloves (from constant build-up of particulate that will scratch your silver) • Pre-Lim (better for removing rust from steel) • Simichrome Metal Polish • Silvo • Soft Scrub • Stainless steel cleaners • Toothbrushes (use one of these natural bristle brushes instead) • Toothpaste (virtually all brands) Chemical Tarnish Removers (Will absolutely ruin the original finish on solid silver and silverplate. Will also allow tarnish to form more quickly.) • Tarn-X Copper Polish Abrasion Ratings (Updated 4.22.13) I occasionally received requests for copper polish recommendations. Below are three products I have tested. Rated 1-3 (1 being least abrasive). Regarding ketchup: Though it's non-abrasive and does remove very light tarnish, ketchup is extremely acidic and may gradually etch and dull copper. You will then have to use one of the polishes below to brighten the surface.  • Abrasivness rating: 1         Blitz Copper Shine Polish (rinse and dry, maintains original finish, no protection) • Abrasivness rating: 2        Pin-Ola Copper & Brass Polish (rinse and dry, maintains original finish, no protection)        * Extremely acidic and may gradually dull copper. • Abrasivness rating: 3 (Surprising since Twinkle's silver polish is extremely mild.)        Twinkle Copper Cleaner  (rinse and dry, brightens & protects)

Home Page • About Me • Before & After Images • Services Offered • Repair Issues • Resources
 Frequently Asked Questions • Silver Care • Silver Glossary • Shop Views • The Library
Engraving Samples • Testimonials • Work Order.doc / .pdf • Contact

©