Posted by turbod on December 19, 2003 at 01:03:29:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: silver replating (first try) posted by Kenneth Sloan on December 18, 2003 at 15:23:12:
When sanding you should use progressive grits. 220 to 500 won't do. Use 220 320 400 600 etc.... This applies to any sanding buffing routine on any material. Each step takes out the previous grit scratches. 500 wouldnt touch 220 size scratches until you take a lot off and weare out your hand.
Surface prep is the most important part of plating. After sanding, buff, going form tripoli coumpound, to white coumpound, to red rouge. Cleaning and degreasing in between each step. One step I take is electro cleaning. It cleans the chemicals residue off the horn. You will know the surface is ready because when you rinse, the water will sheet off the horn instead of the water beading into little droplets. Beading indicates dirt. Silver won't stick to dirt.