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Tarnish is a chemical reaction on the surface of metal (copper, brass, silver, etc.) and causes a layer of corrosion. In the case of silver tarnish, the silver combines with sulfur and forms silver sulfide (Ag 2 S), which is black. The original silver surface can be restored if the layer of silver sulfide is removed. [4]
Silvered glass mirrors were a vast improvement, since silver reflects 90% of the light that hits it and is much slower to tarnish than speculum. Silver coatings can also be removed from the glass, so a tarnished mirror could be resilvered without changing the delicate precision-polished shape of the glass substrate.
Tarnish does not always result from the sole effects of oxygen in the air. For example, silver needs hydrogen sulfide to tarnish, although it may tarnish with oxygen over time. It often appears as a dull, gray or black film or coating over metal. Tarnish is a surface phenomenon that is self-limiting, unlike rust. Only the top few layers of the ...
In addition to explaining, antique experts also offer their tips for dealing with each on your collectibles.
Then, you can go in with your cleaning solution on a clean, soft cloth to remove any tarnish. Bougere warns "extreme tarnish requires patience," so be ready to scrub quite a bit to achieve the ...
Polishing stainless steel can also increase its sanitary benefits. The removal of oxidization (tarnish) from metal objects is accomplished using a metal polish or tarnish remover; this is also called polishing. To prevent further unwanted oxidization, polished metal surfaces may be coated with wax, oil, or lacquer.
Stained glass shards used for mosaic glass are also tumbled. No abrasive is used, to avoid clouding the glass; there is only water as a lubricant. The object of this tumbling is to remove the sharp edges from the glass, so that it may be handled safely. As little as 8 hours of tumbling may be sufficient for tumbled glass.
Flame polishing, also known as fire polishing, is a method of polishing a material, usually glass or thermoplastics, by exposing it to a flame or heat. [1] When the surface of the material briefly melts, surface tension smooths the surface. Operator skill is critical with this method.