Medallion "wipe on" silver

[michael_glenn]

The photos are before, during, and after. It was clean bare brass. Now it's ugly silver. Click on the picture to go to photo bucket, and you'll see it better.

[michael_glenn]

Also, this isn't a contact point for me. The way I position my hand, I almost never touch that spot. The previous owner? Not so much.

[Donn]

Not that I know anything about this stuff, but that looks like a failure - can't be the way it's supposed to work, the question is why. The original plating loss looks like a failure, too - at the bottom of the area, where it runs into the ferrule or whatever, it looks more like peeling than wear. If you knew why that happened, it might be a clue to the problem you had with this product.

[PaulMaybery]

Hi Mark.

Interesting and handy product. Tried it a couple of years back. It does work as it says, and as you have found out.
It is however, and here is the 'bubble buster' ... the application is extremely thin and does suffice for cosmetic purposes, and is relatively economical. However, it is not substantial enough for any place that has constant wear or contact with the hands )or lips for that matter.) Dollar for dollar I honestly believe I would have been better off with mouthpieces at least with getting a bonafide electro silver plate from a reputable company. But, it does work nicely for touch up ... just be prepared to reapply the solution in the not to distant future ... say a year or so. If you can deal with that, you should be happy. I still use it now and then.

There is also a "gold plate" kit out there, but that lasted even a shorter amount of time and easiy wiped off with a polishing rag.

There is a good reason why Anderson and other companies are in business in that they are able to lay on a substantially thick coat of silver or gold or other base metals as a substrate prior to the final coat. Plus the color buffing and chem cleaning are not small issue either.

Just sayin' ....

Paul (who is always looking for a quick fix ... but is pretty sceptical anymore .. .for good reason)

[edsel585960]

I think I'll try it on the bow of my 10J. It's the only brass spot on the whole horn. Worth a try.

[PaulMaybery]

Partial bottles: There is only so much silver in the solution. You are right in that it works best when the bottle is freshly opened. There are other issues in that the metal needs to be totally degreased. Also for those who have never used it, any pitting, scratches etc, will telegraph right through the thin silver plate. If it needs to match a bright silver finish on the rest of the horn, the spot needs to be buffed to a similar bright finish, and also degreased. Most polishes and buffing compound have a grease factor. And, it will discolor your skin and fingernails. Wear gloves.