Worn gilding / Varnishing

Silver Care Silver Restoration
1

Hi all. Two questions please:

  1. I have some typical large sterling silver corinthian column candlesticks which have very worn gilding. I understand that the gilding is put on silver by an elctroplating process. Is it possible to reverse the process - I would like the candlesticks to revert to their original silver and they match another pair I have.

  2. Still on candlesticks. I would like to know if it is possible to remove what appears to be varnish from a pair of 1816 Brirmingham rococco candlesticks. I don’t want to take paint stripper to them of course! Would a silver restorer undertake this rather unusual request for me?

Regards,
Peter Grant (London)

2

LATE REPLY

Peter, the gold can be removed through a stripping process and must be monitored so the sterling itself isn’t damaged.

Varnish can be safely removed by using this product:

https://www.dumondchemicals.com/pro-peel-away-smart-strip.html

Jeff