How to gild silver at home

Methods for applying gold plating to silver at home

If a person does not have the opportunity to purchase gold jewelry, sellers often offer accessories made of gold-plated silver. Such products have a beautiful shine, they are difficult to distinguish from expensive metal, so there is a great demand for them. Gold-plated jewelry can be worn for a long time if you care for it properly.

Features and Benefits

The gilding method began to be used in ancient times. The precious metal was used to cover church domes, cutlery and crockery. At that time, cold and hot gilding was invented. In the first method, thin layers of gold leaf are stamped and glued onto the silver. The hot method required fire, but this technique was abandoned over time, since such gilding used mercury, which was dangerous due to toxic fumes.

For processing, 925 sterling silver is used as a base, which is low in cost. The thickness of gold plating is about 5-10 microns. A thin layer is made from 999-grade material. Sometimes there is a layer of platinum between gold and silver. To increase the wear resistance of products, a protective layer is applied over the spraying. Polishing them with an agate stone will help add shine to your accessories. According to international standards, gold plating is numbered 4N.

The main advantages of silver products with gilding:

1. Absolutely safe for health.
2. Attractive appearance. Gold-plated accessories are difficult to distinguish from real gold, so they are purchased if you do not have enough money for expensive jewelry.
3. Resistance to external aggressive influences. Coated jewelry does not oxidize or corrode.
4. Democratic price. These products can be afforded by people of any income.
5. Combination with stones. Gilded silver looks great with a variety of minerals.
6. Easy care and operation.

Not only jewelry, but also cutlery is made from gold-plated silver. They are lightweight and easy to use. Silver with gold plating is used in the production of sets and figurines. These items will make excellent gifts for relatives or friends.

Silver items are not as capricious as gold items, but they also require care. Gold-plated silver jewelry lasts a long time if you clean it regularly and store it in a closed container. Any metal loses its shine and color over time, and the gold-plated film can even deteriorate due to mechanical stress, so it is important to handle accessories with care in order to preserve their beautiful appearance for a long time.

If grayish specks begin to appear on jewelry that was recently purchased, then it should be taken to a specialist as soon as possible. He will determine the quality of the material and issue a conclusion. Typically, the presence of such stains indicates that a low-quality alloy was used for the product.

Coating Methods

Sputtering with gold at home is not as difficult as it seems. You can extend the life of your jewelry or other metal accessories using gilding. By studying the features of different techniques, you will be able to avoid unnecessary costs for purchasing new products. You only need to purchase certain tools, equipment and components for chemical formulations.

Gold chloride is a solution often used to coat silver. First, “regia vodka” is prepared, which is a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acid in proportions of 1:3. Gold is placed into the solution, and then the liquid is evaporated. As a result, dry matter is formed. All actions must be performed carefully to avoid burns to the skin and respiratory tract.

Then gold chloride is mixed with a solution of potassium cyanide and washed chalk. The resulting slurry is applied to the silver item using a brush. The substance is kept for some time, then the accessory is thoroughly washed and polished.

A thicker layer of gold plating on silver is done using a zinc contact. The composition will require the following components:

1. 15 grams of gold chloride;
2. 65 grams of carbonic potassium salt;
3. 65 grams of yellow blood salt;
4. 65 grams of table salt;
5. 2 liters of water.

All substances are mixed, the composition is used heated. The silver product that will need to be processed is thoroughly cleaned of grease and dirt and placed in the prepared solution. The product contained in the composition is connected to a zinc stick, which is used as a contact.

Another application method will help fix the gold plating on silver for a long time. Electroplating is performed in special electrolytic solutions. This technique is similar to galvanizing.

The chemical solutions used in this method have different compositions, so the future gilding may be reddish or light yellow. Typically, one of two types of solutions is chosen for silver.

Gilding in the first way is carried out according to the scheme:

1. Take a container and pour 700 ml of water into it. Add 60 grams of sodium phosphate to the liquid, which should completely dissolve.
2. Then another container is filled with 150 ml of water. Add 2.5 grams of gold chloride to it.
3. The third container is filled with 150 ml of water. 1 gram of potassium cyanide and 10 grams of sodium disulfide are dissolved in the liquid.
4. First, mix the first two solutions, and then add the third composition to the resulting consistency.
5. The prepared mixture is heated to +50 − +60 degrees. A platinum anode is used for the procedure.

Another type of electrolyte for metal spraying is called “Zelmi’s golden bath.” Tin, copper and brass are also processed in this composition. The solution is prepared in several stages:

1. 30 ml of water is poured into a porcelain container and crystalline sodium carbonate and potassium ferric sulfide are added to it. The mixture is then boiled.
2. Gold fulminate, precipitated with ammonia, is placed into the heated solution. The consistency should be boiled for 20 minutes.
3. When a fluffy red precipitate forms and the resulting liquid acquires a rich golden hue, the composition is filtered.

Processing a silver product in this electrolyte lasts 15-16 hours. For gilding, weak currents and the Daniel element are used. A beautiful matte layer is formed on the metal product.

When choosing a method for gilding silver, it is necessary to take into account the end result, since the coating can come out in different shades and shines. You should also know the safety rules when working with chemicals.

Terms of use

Some buyers of gold-plated jewelry claim that the coating quickly wears off, and the products themselves lose their attractive and impressive appearance. For example, if a piece of jewelry quickly fades after contact with water, people think it is fake. But real gold-plated silver cannot deteriorate for this reason alone.

In order for products to delight you with their beautiful appearance for a long time, you should use them correctly:

1. Earrings, chains and bracelets should be removed before showering or bathing. Jewelry becomes dull in soapy water, and frequent contact with it can easily damage the metal. If a person forgets to remove accessories, they should not be dried with a towel afterwards. Friction also negatively affects gold plating.
2. When playing sports, it is not recommended to wear gold-plated silver as it deteriorates due to human sweat.
3. Products should be stored in boxes or other closed containers that will protect them from sunlight and other negative factors. To prevent jewelry from scratching against each other, you should choose a separate box for each of them.
4. Jewelry needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure it lasts a long time. But it is necessary to use certain methods of caring for gold-plated silver.
5. Products should not be kept in a bathroom or kitchen area with high humidity levels, because the accessories will quickly lose their characteristic shine.
6. If a person wears jewelry daily, he should wipe it with a suede cloth after each use. This material will help keep the product clean. In addition, suede will eliminate the need for radical methods of cleaning metal.

The thin layer of film covering silver can be damaged by negative factors. The quality of the base of the product also affects the coating itself. Other types of metal are added to the silver alloy. If there is too much nickel or copper in it, the jewelry will quickly turn black and become covered with plaque.

The process of metal oxidation can be accelerated by aggressive components included in cleaning products. Even some cosmetics can affect gold-plated jewelry. To avoid damage to accessories, they should not be worn in contact with chemicals.

Cleaning products

Jewelry can be cleaned at home. Over time, gilded silver loses its shine, which can be restored not only with the help of suede fabric, but also in other ways.

A tarnished gold-plated accessory can be treated with baking soda , which is available in any home. Add 1-2 teaspoons of the product to a glass of warm water, after which the product is lowered into the solution. After 30-40 minutes, remove the jewelry and wipe the surface with a soft-bristle toothbrush. The coating quickly gets rid of blackness and dullness. Then the accessory is washed with running water and dried with a paper towel.

Another effective cleaning method is using toothpaste. The product is applied to the surface of the decoration. Using a brush, carefully wipe problem areas so as not to damage the coating. The spraying regains its former shine.

If a gold-plated piece of jewelry is slightly tarnished, it only needs a light cleaning. Regular sugar will help restore the decoration to its original appearance. Warm water is poured into a glass, in which 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar are dissolved, and the decoration is added to the mixture. Remove the product after 3-4 hours and wash it under water.

You can take ammonia from your home medicine cabinet. One spoon of clear liquid is diluted in a glass of water, and then 2-3 drops of liquid soap or dishwashing detergent are added. The product is immersed in the resulting solution and left in it for 1-1.5 hours. After this cleaning method, the gold-plated jewelry will shine again.

If the silver base of the product contains many impurities, the coating will quickly tarnish and darken. Wine alcohol should be applied to a soft sponge or cotton pad and wipe the decoration. You can clean gold-plated silver in beer or vinegar solution. The decoration is left in the liquid for 15-20 minutes. You can polish the coating with suede.

Purchasing Tips

You can purchase high-quality gold-plated jewelry in jewelry stores, but you need to know some selection rules so as not to be mistaken in the value of the product.

Silver products must have a stamp confirming the hallmark . If it is not there, then it is not a precious metal, but a jewelry alloy coated with gold. Such products are often purchased because they are cheaper, but they quickly deform.

Different types of silver can be used to make jewelry, but experts recommend choosing 925 silver. Products made from it are of much higher quality, so they will last a long time. The percentage of gold plating should be more than 40%.

Source: https://VseoMetallah.ru/uvelir-isdelia/pozolochenoe-serebro

Gilding silver at home - Metals, equipment, instructions

Gold jewelry has long gained popularity among all segments of the population. But gold is an expensive metal, and not everyone can afford to purchase products made from natural gold. And this is where gold-plated jewelry often comes to the rescue.

Gilding refers to the process of adding a small layer of gold to an original item. This layer simultaneously serves as protection from the harmful influences of the environment.

The technology of gilding jewelry is constantly being improved and is being used in various areas of everyday life. Today, gilding with gold leaf is common; this method is much cheaper than traditional gilding. Thin sheets of alloys of various non-ferrous metals successfully imitate gold in color.

Various gold plating techniques

Modern gold sputtering techniques make it possible to cover many household items with a glamorous coating, including mobile phones and car parts.

Silver is also readily used as a metal for sputtering, especially in the manufacture of costume jewelry. Gilding decoration techniques make it possible to make original, exclusive items from the most banal objects.

But gilding is important not only for the decorative design of products; it also has protective functions. Such a coating will not crack, does not lose its shine, and is not affected by corrosion. The thickness of the applied coating varies; for example, for gold-plated watches, a gold coating of 5 microns is usually used.

Silver can also be coated with gold plating; there are a number of gold plating techniques for this:

1. Ordinary. When using this method, a 385 grade noble metal is taken and the applied layer is adjusted to 2.5 microns.
2. High quality gilding. In this option, gold is taken above 385 standard and sprayed with a layer of more than 2.5 microns.
3. Rose gold plated. The presence of copper inclusions gives the alloy an original shade of pink color. Samples of yellow metal in such an alloy may vary.
4. The so-called white gold. In addition to silver, this alloy contains palladium and nickel. The size of the layer can reach up to 5 microns; silver jewelry is mainly coated with this alloy.

The undoubted advantage of gold-plated jewelry is its price. At the same time, the product itself looks quite high-status and emphasizes the individuality of its owner. Very often, gold-plated products are used in combination with various stones and rhinestones.

However, there is a finite lifespan for gold plated items. A thin layer of gilding suffers from mechanical stress, so it is not recommended to wear such products constantly. As a result of physical wear and tear, the luster of the gold plating becomes duller. It is also necessary to protect jewelry from exposure to chlorine, so they should not be wet.

Care and restoration of gilding

Is it possible to restore gold plating? By contacting an experienced jeweler, you can get a restored product in its original form.

It is necessary to take care of gold-plated products very carefully, trying not to damage the thin outer layer. Remove dirt using a soft cloth soaked in an alcohol solution. But gold-plated silver is cleaned with baking soda and an old toothbrush. After performing health procedures, jewelry should be rinsed with water and dried well.

Many people want to know whether it is possible to remove gold plating from gold-plated silver objects. This can be done in several ways:

1. The chemical method allows you to remove the gilding in a solution of aqua regia, and then, if necessary, metallic gold can be obtained from gold chloride.
2. Using electrolysis, gold plating is removed in a sulfuric acid solution. The coated product is fixed to the anode and immersed in a bath of sulfuric acid. You need to understand that removing gold plating by electrolysis and sulfuric acid requires certain skills and equipment, so it is often better to contact a specialist galvanizer.
3. There is also a third method; it is applicable in cases where it is not necessary to isolate gold as a metal. The coating is removed using the finest sandpaper, and the product is given a marketable appearance by rubbing it with polishing paste.

It is also possible to restore gilding that has lost its appearance due to mechanical stress. But to do this, you need to first clean the surface, then cover it with nickel, then apply a layer of gold plating. The restored item will continue to delight its owners.

Often we have to solve the problem - how to distinguish gold from gilding? The hallmark of gilding has one single value - 999. Gold jewelry is marked 585 or 583. If foil was used in the gilding process, then the hallmark can be any, but not 585 and 583.

How to spot a fake? Alcohol or silver nitrate helps a lot. It is necessary to moisten a cotton swab with the solution and lightly wipe the product, after moistening it with water.

If the metal does not darken, it means it is gold. You can try biting the product “on the tooth” or scratching it with your nails. If shavings form, it means it is a gold-plated product.

Home gilding practice

The method of gilding at home, rather than in a specialized laboratory, is quite complex and not always feasible. The chemicals needed for gilding at home are not always available to hobbyists. The gilding process itself is not at all simple; it requires skills and experience.

Experts distinguish between two main methods of gilding - electrochemical and mechanical.

The mechanical technique is more often called gilding. Gilding involves covering items with gold foil. Thin sheets of soft gold are applied to the product; the thickness of the sheets is determined to be several microns.

Mechanical gilding method

In the mechanical method, two main approaches can be distinguished:

1. Oil direction. This direction is based on the technology of gluing gold leaf onto oil varnish. The advantage of this method is the ability to gild products made from a wide variety of materials, including metal objects and plastic parts. Among the disadvantages, noteworthy is the effect of moisture on the gold-plated surface. An object made in this way has a matte surface, without a characteristic shine.

2. The technology of adhesive gilding has undergone virtually no changes since ancient times. Up to 10 layers of polymer are applied to a specially prepared surface, then gold leaf is applied to the surface.

   The ideal basis for this gilding procedure is wood and polyurethane. The gloss obtained as a result of this method can satisfy the most demanding consumer requirements. It is possible to carry out gilding in this way only in a perfectly dry production room.

Electrochemical method of applying gold plating

Electrochemical gilding also has several varieties:

1. When gilding products using the galvanic gilding method, the metal part is immersed in a composition of noble metal salts. When an electric current is passed through the mixture, particles of gold salts with a positive charge are concentrated on the original object. As a result, the output is a strong layer of gold, the chemical strength of which is quite high.

2. The most effective method is the electrochemical metallization method.
   The use of gels containing metal and a specialized power source makes the gilding process faster and more technologically advanced.

   The coating applied in this way has a molecular bond with the original surface, and its durability increases significantly due to the presence of colbate salts.

   Technological advantages include the absence of the need for a container for gilding, and gold plating can be done on objects of various sizes.

   There is no need to disassemble the original product; gold plating settles only on conductive surfaces.

At home, the method of rubbing metal is often used. To do this, gold chloride is placed in a solution of potassium cyanide, adding chalk, bringing the solution to a slurry state.

The original product is cleaned and degreased, then rubbed with the resulting gruel. The product is then thoroughly polished.

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If gold chloride is dissolved in ether, then gilding can also be carried out with this solution. After the ether evaporates, a thin layer of gold with a characteristic shine is formed on the surface of the original part. Using this solution, you can use a pen to make golden designs on metal.

Source: https://spb-metalloobrabotka.com/zolochenie-serebra-v-domashnih-usloviyah/

Gold plating at home: gilding methods

By learning how to do gilding at home, which is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance, you can give a second life to your favorite copper and silver jewelry. Products made from gold have been very popular among both women and men for many years. To own such products without significant costs for their acquisition, it is enough to master the technology of gilding.

Both non-ferrous alloys, steel or cast iron can be plated with gold

What metal products can be coated with gold plating?

The most common process is gilding silver, but gold plating can be applied to the surface of other metals. Thus, gilding can be applied to products made of copper, brass and zinc, as well as iron and steel, etc.

There is no clear answer to the question of how to gild metal at home. It all depends on what metal products need to be subjected to such processing. The choice of gilding technology carried out at home is also influenced by the result that needs to be achieved.

With the help of gilding you can give ordinary things a completely different look.

Various methods can be used to gild metal, the most common of which are:

• rubbing the surface of the product with a solution of gold chloride;
• gilding, performed by immersing the product in a solution with a zinc contact;
• galvanic gilding.

Each of these methods of gilding, performed at home, requires the use of certain chemicals, tools and equipment.

Preparation and use of gold chloride

To gold-plate metal, a solution called gold chloride is often used. To prepare such a solution, gold is dissolved in “aqua regia,” which is a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids. Hydrochloric and nitric acids are taken in a ratio of 3:1.

Gold is placed in this composition, and then the liquid is evaporated. The procedure for evaporating liquid from such a solution should be carried out very carefully so as not to cause burns to the skin and respiratory tract.

The dry substance remaining after evaporation is precisely gold chloride.

When evaporating, you need to separate the open fire from the container with the solution, for example, by making a layer of asbestos chips poured into a separate container

Before using gold chloride for gilding, it must be mixed with a solution of potassium cyanide and washed chalk, resulting in a paste-like mass. Using a brush, this paste is used to cover the product, after which it is left for some time, and then thoroughly washed and polished.

To gild steel, gold chloride is mixed with ether. The product coated with this composition is left for some time until the ether has completely evaporated, and then the treated surface is simply rubbed with a cloth to impart a golden shine.

Using gold chloride, previously mixed with ether, various inscriptions and patterns can be applied to a metal object. In order to carry out this procedure, a quill pen is dipped into the resulting solution and the required inscriptions and patterns are made, which, after evaporation of the ether and polishing, will sparkle with a golden sheen.

Large surfaces are covered with gold using a soft brush

As mentioned above, gold plating is often applied to silver, for which gold chloride can also be used. To perform chemical gilding of products made from this metal, it is necessary to prepare a mixture that includes the following components:

• gold chloride – 10 grams;
• potassium cyanide – 30 grams;
• table salt – 20 grams;
• soda – 20 grams;
• water – 1.5 l.

Chemical gilding, which must be applied to silver, can also be performed using a mixture of:

• gold chloride – 7 grams;
• potassium ferric sulfide – 30 grams;
• potassium carbonate – 30 grams;
• table salt – 30 grams;
• water – 1 l.

The procedure for sputtering a layer of gold onto a metal surface using chemical solutions is performed in the following sequence.

1. The product being processed is pre-calcined.
2. The surface of the object is etched first with a solution of sulfuric acid and then with nitric acid.
3. The pickled product is momentarily dipped into a mixture consisting of sulfuric, nitric and hydrochloric acids.
4. After treatment in a mixture of acids, the product is rinsed with water, then immersed in mercury and finally in water, where it is kept for 30 seconds.
5. After a container of water, the product is placed in a solution for gilding, kept for the required time, then washed with water and dried in sawdust.

Application of zinc contact

To obtain a thicker gold-plated layer, a zinc contact is used. Using this method, you can, for example, coat silver with a layer of gold. For gilding, a composition is prepared from the following components:

• gold chloride – 15 grams;
• carbonic potassium salt – 65 grams;
• yellow blood salt – 65 grams;
• table salt – 65 grams;
• water – 2 l.

It will take some time to dissolve all components of the composition

Products made of copper and brass are plated with gold in a solution of the following composition:

• gold chloride – 2 grams;
• caustic potassium – 6 grams;
• potassium cyanide – 32 grams;
• sodium phosphorus salt – 10 grams;
• water – 2 l.

Objects on the surface of which it is necessary to apply a layer of gilding are thoroughly cleaned of dirt and grease, then they are placed in a preheated gilding composition. The products already there are connected to a zinc rod, which acts as a contact.

Compositions of degreasing solutions

In order for the gilding applied to the surface of products made of steel, zinc and tin to be of high quality and have good adhesion, they must be subjected to a copper plating procedure before gilding.

Electroplating method of applying gold plating

The most durable and high-quality layer of gilding allows you to obtain electroplating with gold, performed in special electrolytic solutions. This gilding technology is very similar to galvanizing, since it uses electroplating and similar electrochemical processes.

Galvanic bath diagram

Depending on the chemical composition of the solution in which galvanization is performed, the formed gold plating may have a reddish or light yellow tint. Basically, gilding of metal products using this technology is carried out in two types of solutions.

Electrolytes for gilding of the first type are prepared in the following sequence.

1. 60 grams of sodium phosphate are dissolved in 700 milliliters of water.
2. 2.5 grams of gold chloride are diluted in 150 milliliters of water.
3. In another 150 milliliters of water, dissolve 1 gram of potassium cyanide and 10 grams of sodium disulfide.
4. First, carefully mix the first two solutions, and then add the third to the resulting mixture.

To gild silver or any other metal using this method, the prepared composition is brought to a temperature of 50–62° and a platinum anode is used to carry out the process. After depletion of such an electrolyte for gilding, gold chloride is added to it.

Defects when using gold plating electrolytes and ways to eliminate them

The second type of electrolyte for gilding is called “Zelmi’s gold bath”. In such a solution, silver, steel, products made of tin, copper, brass, and Christophean metal are gilded. The preparation of this electrolyte for gilding occurs in several stages.

• In a porcelain container, bring to a boil 30 milliliters of water, mixed with crystalline sodium carbonate and potassium ferric sulfide (taken 1 gram each).
• Gold fulminate precipitated with ammonia is added to the resulting solution and boiled for twelve minutes.
• After the formation of a red fluffy precipitate, the resulting liquid, which should have a rich golden color, is filtered.

Conditionally cyanide-free gold plating electrolytes are considered less toxic, the characteristics of which are given in the table

Treatment in such an electrolyte for gilding is carried out for 15–16 hours, using a Daniel element and weak currents. As a result, a spectacular matte gold finish is formed on the surface of the metal product.

When asking questions about what gilding is and how to do it, it should be taken into account that various techniques are used to carry it out, only some of which are described above. When choosing the optimal one from such technologies, you need to take into account a number of factors, as well as focus on the desired result.

Source: http://met-all.org/obrabotka/prochie/zolochenie-domashnih-usloviyah-pozolota-galvanicheskoe.html

Gilding at home

When using gilding technology, you can restore the former attractiveness of almost any jewelry made of copper or silver. Products with gilding are used in a variety of ways, most often they become decoration.

Gilding at home can be carried out using a variety of technologies. You can coat items made of silver or other alloys with gold, the main thing is to know all the features of the process.

Restoring gilding is best done at home using special substances and equipment.

Gilding at home

Chemical method

Chemical gilding of silver or other alloy is the process of applying gold chloride to the surface being treated. Recommendations for creating the required reagent are as follows:

1. The metal must be forged onto pre-prepared foil. All elements must be crushed into small elements.
2. Small pieces are immersed in a mixture of a previously prepared chemical reagent. The solution is created by combining 30 grams of hydrochloric acid concentrate and 10 grams of nitric acid. It is worth considering that you need to work with such substances at home carefully.
3. For one gram of spraying there is at least 10 ml of solution. That is why you should calculate the required amount of liquid in advance.

Gilding solution

Porcelain dishes are used to mix active reagents. The dissolution process can last for three days. After preliminary preparation of the metal, it is evaporated at a temperature of about 80 °C until liquid appears. At the time of evaporation, you should stir the resulting consistency with a glass rod from time to time, which will result in a homogeneous composition.

When carrying out gilding of metal, it is necessary to qualitatively prepare the required composition. To do this you will need:

1. Water purified from impurities at a temperature of 60 °C.
2. About 15 grams of gold chlorine salt syrup.
3. More than 65 grams of potassium carbonate or sodium chloride. Both substances must undergo high-quality purification.

The surface of silver or other items should be coated only after preparation. To do this, degreasing is carried out using 20% ​​sodium hydroxide, after which the product is washed in a 25% soda solution.

Chemical gilding

After preparing the surface, the product is coated in the previously prepared mixture. After some time it becomes gold plated. After removing and drying the surface, it is washed and wiped with a dry cloth. To give a more attractive look, the gilding is polished with woolen cloth.

Mechanical methods of gilding

Gold plating is characterized by certain qualities that make the product more attractive and resistant to environmental influences. Mechanical application of gold plating is carried out extremely rarely, since it is quite difficult to achieve uniformity of the surface layer. The features of the technology under consideration include the following points:

1. For such gilding, a special paste is used. It can be prepared in a specialized store or made with your own hands. The composition of the paste may vary significantly, which is worth considering.
2. The layer obtained by using the mechanical method of gilding at home has a small thickness. That is why the resulting coating will not last for a long period.
3. Common ingredients include yellow blood salt, chalk powder and cream of tartar.
4. It is recommended to mix the paste with water to obtain a homogeneous paste, which is rubbed into the surface using a woolen cloth.
5. Before gilding at home, the surface must be degreased. Special compounds are also used for this.
6. The gilding paste should be applied in an even layer; when rubbing, care should be taken to ensure that the substance does not get on exposed areas of the skin.

Manual gold plating

Mechanical technology is quite complex to implement. As a rule, it is used if you need to cover only part of the product at home. This is due to the fact that other coating technologies involve complete immersion of the product in a special solution.

Gilding by electroplating

A thick layer of high quality gold plating can be obtained using special technology. It involves immersing the workpiece in a special electrolyte. The galvanic method is used to process a wide variety of workpieces, as it resembles common electrochemical processes.

It is worth considering that depending on the type of solution used, the surface can acquire a variety of shades. You can make an electrolyte for gilding yourself at home as follows:

1. For 700 ml of purified water, add 60 grams of sodium phosphate.
2. When using 2.5 grams of gold chloride, 150 ml of water is used to dissolve them.
3. 10 grams of sodium sulfide, as well as one gram of potassium cyanide, are dissolved in 150 ml of distilled water.

Such reagents should be handled with care. Gold electroplating at home is carried out by heating the solution to a temperature of about 60 °C, and an anode is installed to activate the chemical process to deplete the electrolyte.

It takes about 15 hours to process the workpieces in such a solution. A low current helps to significantly increase the efficiency of the process. Due to this, a matte gold film is formed on the surface.

Preparation of solution for gilding

The solution for gilding at home should be prepared with extreme care. This is due to the fact that when substances come into contact, a chemical reaction is formed, which can lead to the appearance of harmful emissions. To create the required composition, the following components can be mixed:

1. Chlorine gold.
2. Salt.
3. Potassium cyanide.
4. Soda and distilled water.

This composition is most suitable for processing ordinary metal. Gold plating on a silver surface at home can be done by creating the following composition:

1. Chlorine gold.
2. Potassium carbonate.
3. Table salt.
4. Ferrous sulfide potassium.

All elements are mixed in water until a homogeneous consistency is obtained. You should work exclusively in protective equipment; contact of the substance with open areas of the body or in the respiratory tract is not allowed.

Source: https://stankiexpert.ru/spravochnik/materialovedenie/zolochenie-v-domashnikh-usloviyakh.html

How to gild metal at home

Products made of gold-plated metals have always been very popular. When handled with care, they looked beautiful and were inexpensive. Therefore, many could afford to change jewelry often and match it to the appropriate outfits. However, over time, the gilding wore off, and gilding in a jewelry workshop costs even more than the product itself. Therefore, many people think about how to gild metal at home.

Solutions for gilding

To apply a layer of gold to an object, it must be dissolved. Gold is a metal that is chemically inert, which is why it is valued, and that is why it is not so easy to do. The only solvent for gold can be aqua regia, a chemical substance that is a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids. You need to take three volume parts of hydrochloric acid, and one volume of nitric acid.

Gold plated ring

After the gold has dissolved, the liquid must be evaporated. You just need to do this carefully, outdoors, following the rules of caution, using a respirator and gloves. Gases that evaporate during evaporation should absolutely not be inhaled, otherwise you may get a burn to the mucous membrane. It is also necessary to use goggles to protect your eyes. After the liquid evaporates, gold chloride remains.

Gilding methods

To gild an item using the rubbing method with gold chloride, the latter must be dissolved in potassium cyanide, then mixed with washed chalk until it becomes mushy. The object is coated with this solution, after which it is waited for some time, washed and polished.

If it is necessary to coat steel or iron with such a layer, gold chloride is dissolved in ether. The solution is applied to the surface, and after the ether has evaporated, rubbed with a rag. If you do this not with a brush, but with a quill pen, you can get a pattern.

Zinc is coated as follows. Prepare a paste that consists of 60 g of potassium cyanide and 20 g of gold chloride, dilute them in 100 g of water and shake. Then filter and add a mixture of tartar and chalk, 5 g and 100 g, respectively, until the consistency of gruel. The paste is applied to the metal with a brush or brush.

Gilding of silver is done in a slightly different way. Gold is dissolved in aqua regia diluted with water, after which potash is added and poured into an iron cauldron, where two liters of water are already boiling. This liquid is boiled for 120 minutes.

Silver objects that want to be gilded are calcined and etched with a solution of sulfuric acid. After this, they are placed in nitric acid for a short period of time.

Then they are tied with brass wire and quickly sent into a liquid, which is a mixture of three acids - nitric, sulfuric and hydrochloric, and removed immediately.

Then the products are rinsed with water, immersed in mercury and water, and after half a minute in a bath of liquid, which consists of 10 g of gold, 25 g of nitric and hydrochloric acids, 25 g of water and 300 g of potash.

After gilding, the products are washed and dried in sawdust. If, while the products are immersed in a bath of gilding solution, you touch them with a zinc stick, then the gold layer will be larger.

If contact with zinc is necessary, use the following solution:

• 15 g gold chloride;
• 65 g potash;
• 65 g of potassium ferrous sulfide, or yellow blood salt;
• 2 liters of water.

In order to coat products with such a solution, cleaned and degreased objects are placed in a heated solution and a zinc stick is used for contact.

If it is necessary to coat copper or its alloys with gold, then 10 g of sodium phosphorus salt and 6 g of potassium hydroxide are dissolved in 1.5 liters of water. Separately, 2 g of gold chloride and 32 g of potassium cyanide are dissolved in 0.5 liters of water and the solutions are mixed. When gilding, the mixture will need to be brought to a boil.

To gild iron, steel, zinc or tin in this way, they are first coated with a layer of copper.

If it is necessary to coat metal wire, it must first be placed in a solution of one part sulfuric acid to 10 parts water. After this, it is soaked in nitric acid and dipped into a copper solution.

Next, prepare solutions for gilding: 150 g of potassium per 5 liters of water and 10 g of gold chloride in one container and 50 g of sodium hydrogen phosphate per 5 liters of water and 50 g of potassium hydroxide.

The solutions are mixed and brought to a boil, after which a copper-impregnated wire is lowered into it.

Various ways to apply gold plating at home

Gilding at home is carried out in two ways: electrolytic (galvanic) and chemical. To coat products with gold, reagents are required that are not available on the market: potassium cyanide, nitric and hydrochloric acids. Special equipment is also required: electrolytic baths and a direct current source. The gilding process is quite labor-intensive and requires skill, accuracy and some experience.

Electroplating

There are two ways:

1. Three solutions are prepared: 60 g of sodium phosphate with 700 g of water; 2.5 g of gold chloride and 150 g of water; 1 g potassium cyanide and 10 g sodium sulfate with 150 g water. The first two solutions are mixed, the third is added last. Temperature - 50-60 degrees. The anode is made of platinum. When the electrolyte solution is depleted, gold chloride is added.
2. Bath according to Zelmi: mix 1 g of potassium hexacyanoferrate (yellow) and sodium carbonate with 30 g of water, heat in a porcelain cup. Add gold precipitated with ammonia to the mixture. Boil for 10-12 minutes. When water evaporates, it is added and a Daniel element current is passed through the solution. Exposure time is 15-16 hours.

Gilding methods at home are labor-intensive and not always available. The preferred method is chemical gilding or rubbing.

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Source: https://DedPodaril.com/zoloto/imform/zolochenie-v-domashnih-usloviyah.html

How to clean gold-plated silver from black to shiny, quickly and efficiently

Gold-plated silver items often become tarnished and tarnished. This happens for various reasons. There are many ways to organize your decorations. You can use folk, professional remedies or special chemicals. And in order to keep your jewelry always presentable, you need to follow simple preventive measures.

Causes of contamination of gold-plated silver

Gilding may turn black due to careless handling.

This type of jewelry loses its brightness over time, but certain factors speed up the tarnishing process. Gilding turns black and fades under the following conditions:

• from interaction with human sweat;
• due to high air humidity;
• after contact with medications or chemical compounds;
• from contact with cosmetics.

To ensure that devices and other jewelry made of gilded silver do not lose their original brightness, contact with sources of adverse effects must be avoided. It is easier to carry out preventative cleaning without waiting for black spots to appear.

When buying products made of gilded silver, you must remember that they must have a hallmark indicating the quality of the jewelry or devices. Otherwise, you can buy a fake, which will lose its beautiful appearance even faster.

How to restore shine to gold-plated silver products at home

The process of cleaning jewelry of this quality includes several stages:

1. Preliminary . Rinse the top layer from dust, plaque, and grease. This especially applies to earrings, chains, bracelets - jewelry that comes into contact with the human body.
2. Directly the cleaning stage . Remove dark spots from the metal surface. Store-bought products or folk recipes are suitable for this.
3. Final . Polish the cleaned gold plate with a piece of suede or a special cloth until it shines.

The cleaning method does not depend on what metal the gold plating is applied to. It is the same for all gold-plated items.

Any substance that will make jewelry and devices with a top layer of precious metal shine must be delicate, without abrasive particles that can ruin the thin coating.

Safe tools

A soft toothbrush will remove dirt from hard-to-reach places

In order to clean gold-plated silver at the initial stage at home, you need to use suede. You should rub the jewelry with it until any foreign contamination disappears from it.

Wooden toothpicks are great for getting dirt out of hard-to-reach places. A soft toothbrush will also help in this matter without damaging the metal structure.

Paper towels or napkins absorb moisture efficiently. They are good for drying items after cleaning.

Hard scourers, rough brushes and caustic acids should never be used to clean gold-plated items. From such exposure they will be irrevocably damaged.

Industrial chemistry

You can find professional gold plating cleaning products in jewelry stores. They complete the task in a matter of minutes. Their action is aimed at adding shine to jewelry and cutlery made from specific types of metal.

You can choose a composition for caring for products with stones that require a more delicate treatment. Such products are more expensive than the components of traditional recipes, but they clean quickly.

Among these are:

• Aladdin is a solution for cleaning gold-plated silver items.
• Town talk is a jewelry cleaner. The composition includes a brush and a basket.
• Town talk spray – useful for polishing gold plates. The kit includes: a polishing cloth and a brush for removing dust and grease.
• Brilliance-connoisseurs – liquid for cleaning gold-plated items.
• Flurin is a composition for removing stains from jewelry. Effectively cleans silver and items with precious stones. It is dangerous for pearls, lapis lazuli, malachite and blackening.
• HG – cleans gilding from tarnish and dirt in 3-5 minutes. The set includes a brush and tweezers.
• Eco miracle . The composition purifies gold, silver, natural stones such as amber, pearls, turquoise. It only takes 1-2 minutes to get rid of dirt and darkening.

When using chemicals, you must carefully read the instructions. By increasing the exposure time, you can inadvertently damage the jewelry. It is especially important to choose the right solutions and pastes for products with stones.

When working with any chemical compounds, even the safest ones, you must wear rubber gloves and ventilate the room.

Folk remedies

A soap solution will remove light stains on gold plating.

You can easily clean gold plate at home using regular products. Such components allow you to achieve the desired result at minimal cost. They are more environmentally friendly and do not contain preservatives, fragrances or other harmful chemicals.

To clean gold-plated silver from blackness at home, you can use gentle products. They will help restore brightness to products that have only slightly faded:

• Sugar . Allows you to remove minor stains. 2 tbsp. l. dissolve the granular substance in a glass of warm water. Place gold-plated cutlery there for a couple of hours.
• Soap solution. It will allow you to restore shine to gilded objects that have not become too dark. Immerse the products in a container, pour and leave for half an hour. After this, rinse in clean water, dry and polish.
• Alcohol . Helps in removing grease and dirt at a preliminary stage. To do this, moisten a cotton pad generously with liquid and thoroughly wipe the gold plate.
• Vinegar . Removes green tint from jewelry. 2 tbsp. l. Dissolve spoons in a liter of water. Place the products in the reagent for 15-20 minutes. After the time has passed, take it out and polish it.
• Lemon acid . Lightens darkened jewelry. Dilute a packet of dry product in two glasses of water and bring to a boil. Dip objects into the seething liquid and leave for 10-15 minutes. Cool the water, remove the items, dry, and polish.
• Beer . Brings back the shine to gold. Place utensils or decorations in the container and fill them so that they are completely hidden. Leave for half an hour. Take it out, dry it, polish it.
• Onion gruel . Removes dark spots and bacteria that clog inside chains, rings, and earrings. Grind a medium onion. Completely immerse the jewelry in it for 2 hours. Wash the gold plate, dry it, and rub it with a soft cloth.

It is important to use suitable recipes in each specific case.

Ammonia will restore shine to heavily tarnished gold-plated cutlery.

There are also products that aggressively clean gold-plated items. Jewelry should not be left in them for longer than expected. They are even suitable for cleaning blackened items:

• Turpentine . Helps clean heavily soiled jewelry. You need to moisten a cotton pad in it and treat the product. Rinse in running water, wipe dry, polish.
• Toothpaste . Acts as a soft abrasive for dirt caught in the ornament on the product. Squeeze onto a cotton pad or a very soft toothbrush and work on the item. Then rinse with water, dry and wipe.
• Ammonia . Brings back brightness and cleanliness to spoons and forks. Dilute 1 tsp in a glass of warm water. ammonia and a drop of any dishwashing detergent. Place cutlery in a container with the solution for 2-3 hours. Dry on a paper towel or napkins, polish.
• Egg yolks and whiteness . Remove blackness from objects. Mix a tablespoon of bleach with 1 yolk. Moisten a cotton pad and apply to the jewelry. After this, rinse with water, dry, and rub until shiny with a soft flannel or woolen cloth.

In addition to the above remedies, you can use potato pulp, old lipstick or Vaseline and chalk.

Each piece of jewelry must be stored separately from others. A special case is best suited for this. If it is not available, you can wrap the products in a piece of suede.

How to care for gold plated silver

Products made of silver plated with gold must be stored in a special box or case

To ensure that jewelry coated with precious metal does not lose its shine for a long time and does not become covered with dark marks, you must follow some tips for using this type of product. You should make it a rule to remove jewelry during illness or intense physical activity.

Do not shower or bathe in jewelry. After this procedure you have to dry yourself with a towel. Due to such mechanical action, a thin layer of gold is gradually removed, and the product loses its noble radiance.

Wipe cutlery with a suede cloth after each use. It is also advisable to polish jewelry that is worn every day once a week with a special napkin, flannel or woolen cloth.

Products should be stored in a dry place, avoiding dampness that is detrimental to the beauty of the metal. A special box is suitable for this. Do not leave gold-plated items in direct sunlight.

If you treat your products with care and love, they will not lose their noble shine for many years.

Source: https://kliningovyj-raj.ru/mojka-i-mytyo/kak-pocistit-pozolocennoe-serebro-v-domasnih-usloviah/

Gilding: decorative coating of silver jewelry | SOKOLOV Magazine

In jewelry, gold is used as a decorative coating for silver jewelry.

Gilding is the application of a layer of high-grade metal 999.0°. In SOKOLOV gold-plated jewelry, the thickness of the gold plating reaches 5 microns. Palladium 999.0°, a noble metal of the platinum group, is used as a “layer” between silver and gold. Next, the gold itself is applied, and then a special protective coating made in Switzerland.

Benefits of gilding

As a result, gilding retains its original appearance for a long time, is absolutely safe for health and corresponds to the 4 N color stated in all current international, European and Russian state standards.

In addition to visual appeal, gold-plated products also acquire a number of functional advantages. They are less susceptible to aggressive external influences, oxidation and corrosion. In addition, gold-plated silver items are a democratic alternative to gold jewelry, since their cost is much lower than their counterparts made entirely of gold.

Methods of applying gold plating

Gilding has been known since ancient times. Even then, the precious metal was applied to domes and interior items, dishes and decorations. There were cold and hot methods of gilding. The first involved sticking or stamping thin sheets of gold leaf onto a silver, wooden or bronze base.

The hot method, the so-called fire gilding, was used in antiquity. A coating of gold and mercury was applied to the product and fired. As a result, the mercury evaporated, and the gold adhered tightly to the base. However, this method turned out to be very dangerous. Thus, when gilding the domes of St. Isaac's Cathedral, dozens of people were poisoned by hot mercury vapor, so hot gilding was soon abandoned.

Nowadays, the main methods of gilding are gilding with sodium, ether solution, contact with zinc and galvanic means.

Electroplating

It is this method of applying precious decorative coatings that is used in jewelry.

Electroplating is the process of coating the surface of one metal with another by deposition from aqueous salt solutions under the influence of an electric current. The cathode is the product to be coated, and the anode is made of metal that must be deposited on the product.

The use of this method allows you to simultaneously reduce losses during polishing and protect products from chemical interaction with the external environment, since a layer of metal that does not enter into an oxidative reaction (for example, rhodium, gold) is fixed on the surface of the jewelry. This operation is very important when protecting silver jewelry, which is more susceptible to oxidation than others.

The essence of gilding is simple. Small baths are filled with electrolyte, where precious metals are dissolved. Jewelry is attached to special hangers and immersed in the resulting solution, after which the metals in the electrolyte settle on the items in a thin layer. This prevents the formation of oxides and reliably protects the jewelry, giving it exceptional reflectivity.

Decorative coating reliably protects jewelry from tarnishing and various minor scratches, but its main enemy is very hard materials and abrasives that can damage the gold plating.

Like any type of coating, gilding is subject to abrasion. That is why gold-plated jewelry requires the most careful handling and special care.

Caring for Gold Plated Jewelry

You can find general recommendations in the article “Caring for Jewelry,” but here we will dwell in more detail on gold plating.

Contrary to the established opinion that gilding is short-lived, it is worth noting that with proper care and careful use, a high-quality precious coating can retain its original appearance for a long time.

Gilded silver jewelry should be stored separately in a closed box. Be sure to take them off before washing, swimming, playing sports or doing any housework.

For preventative purposes, it is enough to wipe gold-plated jewelry with dry suede. To clean the coating, simply wipe the product with a cotton pad soaked in alcohol. It is completely safe for gold plating. Also, ammonia or soap solution will help improve the appearance of jewelry (a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent and a few drops of ammonia are enough for 1 liter of warm water). Leave the jewelry in the solution for no longer than half an hour, then rinse with water and wipe with a soft cloth.

Still, it is recommended to use professional cleaning products to clean gold-plated items, and once a year to take the jewelry to a jewelry workshop for preventative maintenance.

Source: https://sokolov.ru/blog/about-jewelry/precious-metals/gilding/

How to clean gold-plated earrings - Useful materials on the Russian Gems corporate website

Not only pure gold shines with a beautiful golden luster. An earring with gold plated looks no worse than a gold one, and at the same time costs much less.

Gilding allows you to achieve an interesting play of color if it is applied unevenly. Modern technologies even make it possible to gild the finished jewelry to give it an additional zest. Any jewelry deteriorates and darkens over time, so the question inevitably arises of how to clean gold-plated earrings so as not to damage the gold plating and preserve the appearance of the jewelry longer.

How to keep the shine of gilding for a long time

The easiest metal to gild is silver. Therefore, when cleaning and caring for jewelry, you need to take into account the peculiarities of handling both this precious metal and the coating.

To prevent the earring from losing its top layer, it should not be cleaned with hard materials, sponges, brushes or powders with hard crystals.

The most common problem that earring owners encounter is the darkening of the metal. For an earring to darken, only one condition is needed - the presence of oxygen. Sometimes products may turn green if they contain copper. A number of simple rules will help you keep your metal shining longer:

• Try to clean your silver regularly. Getting rid of minor darkening is much easier than cleaning a thick layer of dark plaque.
• Do not store jewelry in the bathroom; water and steam will cause them to lose their shine faster.
• Remove jewelry before washing dishes or doing household chores. Cleaning agents can corrode the plating used to gild the silver.
• Before applying cream or decorative cosmetics, earrings should be removed. There is nothing harmful to the skin in cosmetics, but for jewelry, acids are a destructive condition.
• Silver does not like sea water, and gilding is not resistant to the bright sun. Before going on vacation to hot countries, it is better to leave the jewelry at home.
• Gold-plated earrings should be stored in a soft velvet bag in a dark box. This way, any earring will darken more slowly and will not be scratched.

But what to do if the earring has darkened or even turned green? Not all folk recipes are suitable for gilding, but it is very easy to restore the former shine to jewelry at home.

How to clean earrings at home

• You can clean your jewelry using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or turpentine. This way you can restore the shine to your earrings or degrease them before more intensive procedures.
• Simple beer helps to rid silver of tarnish. For effective cleaning, a gold-plated earring can be soaked in beer for about an hour.
• The most problematic areas of earrings are the fasteners; dust and sebum accumulate on them the fastest. To clean small decorations, you can use a cotton swab dipped in glycerin or ammonia.
• The same methods are suitable for cleaning gold-plated jewelry as for silver jewelry: ammonia, soap solution. But you should not use soda, vinegar and homemade wines; they will clean the silver, but will deprive the gold plating of its shine and can ruin the stones. It is also best to avoid heating the jewelry.
• After cleaning, gold-plated earrings can be soaked in simple sugar or thick sugar syrup for several hours. This will not remove dirt from the jewelry, but it will help restore its bright shine, as if you were able to gild it again.
• Soap solution, vinegar and glycerin are effective in cleaning earrings, but may cause discoloration if left in contact with the metal for long periods of time. Therefore, after each cleaning, it is recommended to thoroughly rinse the jewelry under running water and wipe dry with a soft cloth.

Source: https://russam.ru/stati/o_juvelirnyh_izdelijah/p17079-kak_pochistit_pozolochennye_serjgi/

How to clean gold-plated silver at home

Gold-plated jewelry is quite popular because it looks expensive and elegant, but is cheaper than pure metal jewelry. However, if storage rules are not followed or worn intensively, the products lose their attractiveness and become stained. To restore its original shine, you need to know what products to use to clean the gold plate.

Basic rules for cleaning gold plates

You cannot compare gold-plated products with silver or gold ones. Therefore, other cleaning methods must be chosen for such items. The sprayed surface easily deteriorates, so it must be properly prepared. The first stage involves removing surface dirt, dust and stains using alcohol or turpentine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlH5lBmQDD4

It is forbidden to carry out mechanical cleaning, because it may scratch or damage the surface. For home care, it is better to use suede fabric, because... it restores the shine of metal and fights stains. When processing gold-plated watches, it is enough to wipe them with suede. If you are cleaning gold-plated silverware, you must first remove any grease deposits.

It is also necessary to carry out the following activities:

1. Wipe the gold plate with a dry cloth. It is better to use flannel, suede or wool for such purposes.
2. Then you need to get rid of surface dirt.

There are several factors that contribute to the loss of the natural shade of gold-plated silver:

1. Staying in an environment with high humidity.
2. Interaction with chemical reagents and drugs.
3. Interaction with cosmetic products that a person uses.
4. Contact with sweat or certain foods: onions, egg whites, gas and rubber.

Despite its vulnerability to darkening, gold-plated silver continues to be in demand and does not lose its original properties. But to do this, you need to properly care for it, using effective methods and folk remedies.

Cleaning of gilding is carried out taking into account the following rules and recommendations:

1. Use only compounds compatible with gold plating.
2. Do not clean the surface with tooth powder or chalk. Due to the presence of abrasive particles in the composition, such products can damage the gold plating.
3. Wipe the surface regularly with a suede cloth.
4. Before you start cleaning, prepare your jewelry.

Methods for removing stains from gold plated

There are many ways to clean gold-plated silver at home. The main thing is that they act carefully and do not harm surfaces. If the stains are small, they can be polished with a soft cloth. If there are stubborn stains, you will have to choose other, more effective methods.

Wine spirit

To restore a gold-plated ring or earrings, you can use a proven folk remedy—wine alcohol. Place a soft sponge in a container with liquid and begin wiping the surfaces. If you don’t have access to alcohol, you can replace it with wine vinegar, which should be at the disposal of every housewife.

After cleaning, you will need to treat the surface with a suede cloth to restore its shine. This method is considered the most harmless, since it does not harm gold-plated items, but effectively removes stains.

Cleaning with beer

You can clean a gold-plated watch, chain, earrings or other coated silver items with beer. This alcoholic drink has a mild effect and effectively combats any darkening, with the exception of severe damage to the metal.

The required amount of drink is poured into the container, and then the gold-plated item is placed. After half an hour, you need to take it out, rinse it under running water and wipe it with a rag.

Soap solution

Caring for gold-plated silver is possible with a soap solution. To prepare this product, you will need warm water and laundry soap, grated and mixed with water until smooth. The resulting mass should be kept in a container with an airtight lid, and then the decoration should be lowered into it for a couple of minutes and shake thoroughly.

The soap solution will wash away any stains and dark spots well. If there are stubborn dirt, they will need to be removed with a soft brush. Then the surface is washed under running water and cleaned with suede.

Alcohol and turpentine

You can clean a gold-plated chain at home using alcohol or turpentine. The substance effectively removes greasy stains, darkening or dirt on products. Different types of alcohol base are suitable for processing:

1. Medical.
2. Ethyl.
3. Denatured.

To clean the surface, you need to moisten a cotton swab or sponge in alcohol, and then begin to wipe the gold plate, washing away any remaining dirt under the influence of a water stream. At the end of the processing, the gilding should be polished with a soft cloth.

Table vinegar

You can wipe the surface of the gold plated with this substance or place the jewelry in it for a few minutes. Regardless of the processing method, it is important to use diluted vinegar with a 9% concentration.

If the first option is used - surface treatment of the product - 2 tbsp. l. acids need to be diluted in a glass of water, and then soak a sponge in the solution and begin wiping.

When carrying out the soaking procedure, you need to take a solution based on 2 tbsp. l. substances and 1 liter of water. The decoration is placed in the container for 15 minutes.

After cleaning the surface, rinse it thoroughly and dry it. If this is not done, the remaining aggressive substance will begin to damage the spraying. Under their influence, the gilding quickly wears off and the product loses its attractiveness.

Egg white against darkening

Break a chicken egg and separate the yolk from the white. To prepare the product, you only need the second, protein part. It is applied to a cotton pad and used for surface wiping.

By cleaning you can restore the shine and brightness of the coating. Add 1 tbsp to the solution. l. whiteness. When working with chemicals, you will need to take care to protect your hands and wear gloves.

Egg yolk and javel water

Javel water means a composition of potassium salts and hypochlorous acids. 1 tbsp. l. This solution is combined with raw, pre-beaten yolk and used to clean contaminants. After treatment, the surface must be washed and polished with a soft cloth.

Baking soda

To clean gold-plated spoons or watches, you can use a proven folk remedy: baking soda. The method is quite simple, but before using it you need to soak the items in a soapy solution. Next, you should prepare a soda solution from 50 g of soda and 1 liter of water. After the solution has cooled, take out the silver spoons and wipe them dry with a soft cloth.

You can also pour 15 g of baking soda into a glass and place the product there overnight. In the morning, the gilded item is rinsed and wiped dry.

If darkening appears, you will need to create a paste of baking soda and water, and then apply it with careful finger movements to the surface. After cleaning, the product must be wiped down.

Ammonia

You can clean gilded silver from blackness with ammonia. Mix 1 tbsp in a glass. l. water and 1 tbsp. l. ammonia. Then spoons or other decorations are placed there and kept for 15-20 minutes.

Often, ammonia is combined with chalk and applied to silver objects. After waiting for the mixture to dry, the metal must be cleaned under running water and wiped dry.

Spoons with green spots can be saved with a mixture based on ammonia and soap. Mix 1 tsp in a liter of warm water. crushed soap and 6 drops of ammonia. Then gilded silver is immersed in the container. The item will need to be removed after 30 minutes, rinsed with water and dried. It is necessary to monitor the duration of exposure of the gold-plated item so as not to damage the plating.

At home, you can use another popular stain removal method. It consists of combining ammonia with toothpaste. To do this, combine a small strip of toothpaste with 15 drops of ammonia and apply it to your toothbrush. Then you should start wiping the surface. This solution has a pungent and unpleasant odor, so it is better to perform the procedure in an open space.

Hydrogen peroxide

When using this product, you must be careful. Despite its high cleaning efficiency, hydrogen peroxide can react with and destroy other elements. Therefore, before using the method, you need to familiarize yourself with the composition of the product.

Special cleaning products

Jewelry stores offer a wide range of specialized jewelry cleaning products. They provide effective treatment of contaminated gold-plated surfaces.

To clean, you need to immerse the item in the solution and leave it there for a couple of minutes. Such compositions are suitable for jewelry with or without precious stones. However, their cost can be quite high.

How not to clean gold plate

To quickly and correctly clean a gold-plated silver item, you need to know which products are suitable for treatment and which are not. It is forbidden to use abrasive compounds for cleaning, because they can ruin the spraying. The use of the following means is also not permitted:

1. Tooth powder or paste.
2. Powdered chalk.

Gold jewelry can withstand such treatment normally, but gold-plated models are severely scratched or completely lose their plating.

If there are precious stones, cleaning should be carried out with extreme caution, avoiding methods that involve immersing objects in solutions. If you miss this moment, the fragile fastening or adhesive base holding the stone will be damaged.

Another requirement applies to products with fasteners. Cleaning should be as delicate as possible, because... fasteners are made of simple metals and are subject to rust.

If you do not have the skills to clean gold-plated silver, it is better to entrust the procedure to an experienced craftsman. Any careless actions can worsen the condition of the jewelry or completely erase the gilding.

Prevention and care rules

Any gold-plated surface is subject to abrasion. This is facilitated by simple wear and tear or non-compliance with maintenance rules. If a valuable item is constantly in contact with sweat, dust, dirt and water, the problem will only get worse. At the same time, frequent wet processing also negatively affects the “life” of the coating.

To make the product more durable, you need to adhere to the following rules and recommendations:

1. If signs of dirt or stains appear, they should be wiped with a soft cloth. It is better to use a flannel or woolen cloth.
2. The gold-plated surface must be isolated from moisture, perfume or household chemicals. You should not expose her to cosmetics yet.
3. It is better to store gold-plated items in a safe place, wrapped in a soft cloth so that they do not come into contact with other jewelry with a similar coating. Gold-plated products should not be placed close to sharp objects.
4. It is necessary to isolate gold plating from exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Otherwise, the surface will begin to fade and darken.
5. Experts also do not recommend going for a swim in the sea or pool with jewelry. Finding itself in an aggressive environment, the gilding will begin to wear out and lose its shine.

After each wear, the jewelry item should be wiped with a suede cloth to remove any remaining grease and dirt. The more often such light cleaning is carried out, the longer the jewelry will last without losing its initial shine and beauty.

When problem areas appear, they will be easy to remove using folk methods and improvised means. If you properly care for gold-plated jewelry, it will be able to maintain its attractive appearance for a long time.

When starting cleaning at home, pay attention to the form factor of the item, its weight and workmanship. Thin chains and bracelets require careful handling and careful cleaning. The same should be done with products that are equipped with precious stones or decorative elements.

It is not difficult to restore the shine and attractiveness of a gold-plated surface. The main thing is to know about the basic cleaning rules and the best folk remedies that allow you to remove stains and dirt.



Source: https://uborka-v-dome.ru/pravila-chistki/kak-pochistit-pozolochennoe-serebro-v-domashnih-usloviyah.html