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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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Controlling silver tarnish for an antique effect

I am an assemblage artist, constructing sculptures made from common objects.
I am currently working on a piece that includes a silver tray that I want to give a slight tarnish and then seal it with a Krylon or lacquer film. I plan to make a mild solution with elemental sulfur ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] to create the tarnish. My question is - will the tarnishing process stop when I seal it or will it continue to darken (assuming I completely remove the sulfur solution first)?

Tom Wells
artist - Washington, DC, USA
October 6, 2010

Q. I now have a sublimed powder sulfur ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] (Usp flowers of sulfur) to do the above project but find that the sulfur is not water soluble. I wish to make a sulfur solution to dip the silver piece into. How do I do that?

Tom Wells [returning]
- Washington, DC, USA
October 12, 2010

A. Hi Tom,
According to thread 22792, the sulfur can be dissolved in sodium sulphide.
Luck & Regards,

ted_yosem
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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