How to Apply a Shiny Glaze on a Silver Plated Tea Service
- 1). Wear protective gloves whenever handling silver or chemical cleaners. Clean the silver surface thoroughly with warm water and a neutral detergent or silver-specific cleaner. Wipe the surface with a soft cloth to clean away dirt and other contaminants; if necessary, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to get into designs or other small areas.
- 2). Rinse the silver thoroughly with clean warm water to remove residual suds or cleaner. Dry the tea set with a soft towel before continuing.
- 3). Dampen a cotton swab with ammonia and apply the ammonia to any tarnished areas. The ammonia will help to dissolve the tarnish; use as little ammonia as possible to remove the tarnish, as ammonia is a potentially dangerous chemical.
- 4). Wash, rinse and dry the surface again to remove residual ammonia. Make sure the surface is completely dry before continuing.
- 5). Dampen a soft cloth with acetone or reagent grade ethanol. Wipe down the silver surface with this rag to degrease the surface. Grease from handling the silver can change the way lacquer adheres to the surface.
- 6). Brush or spray on a thin layer of silver lacquer; your application method will vary depending on the product you choose. Allow the first coat to dry before applying a second. Inspect the dried second coat and apply a third coat or touch-ups as necessary.
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