Jewelry - LIquids - Pickle, Neutralizer, Water, Ultrasonics
Introduction
There are a few chemicals in use in the jewelry area. Liquids, even water should be clearly labeled.
Notes
Safety
It is advisable to wear safety glasses when working with acids.
Common Hazards
Serious eye irritation .Acids will burn through clothing and irritate skin
The acids are heated, this will add to the effect of the acid. Flush skin with water immediately after contact.
Ultrasonic cleaner contans ammonia. Never mix it with other solutions. Damage to skin is minimal, but will dry and irritate.
Care
Use
Consumables
Materials that can and can't be used.
Silver, copper, brass
Never use steel or ferrous metals in the jewelry area, especially not in the pickles.
The tools
Annotated Image(s)
Chicago electric ultrasonic
008 Ultrasonic
Non Silver Pickle
Silver Pickle
What the solutions are, how and when to replenish
Pickle (brand name Sparex, Sodium Bisulphate)
Setting Up - For 10oz warm water in the pickle pot, use up to 2 tablespoons of Sparex.
When mixing acids, always start with the most dilute solution first (water) then add the acid.
- Dissolve: Heat the pot to roughly 125° F to 150° F and stir with copper tongs until the granules are fully dissolved.
- Usage: Always use Copper Tongs to handle metal, as steel or iron will contaminate the bath.
The solution is depleted when it takes on a bright blue color and it no longer removes firescale.
Here is what you need to know about the blue color:
- It means your pickle is working: The color change indicates the acid is doing its job by removing surface oxidation. [1, 2]
- It signals when to change the batch: Fresh Sparex pickle is clear. As the liquid gets darker and turns deep blue-green, it is loaded with copper ions and its cleaning power is becoming depleted. [1, 2, 3, 4]
- Watch out for "copper plating": If you accidentally introduce a steel tool (like steel tweezers or binding wire) into a blue pickling bath, it causes a chemical reaction that forces the dissolved copper to plate right back onto your silver piece. Always use copper, plastic, or brass tongs. [1, 2, 3]