Featured Help to clean silver deposit off glass

Hi, I have an L. E. Smith black glass bowl with a silver deposit design that is in rough shape. I would like to remove the decoration to end up with a plain, black bowl.

I tried soaking in vinegar and also tried acetone using a paper towel, neither worked. Does anyone have suggestions as to how to clean it off.

Thank you for any help!

 

I am afraid you will not be successful, whatever you try. The first step in creating silver deposit and overlays was to create a fine layer of the silver design fused into the surface of the glass using a flux, and firing in a kiln. Once a thin base of silver was established, the subsequent thickness was built up using electroplating. So there is a permanent bond between the surface of the glass and the silver layer.
http://opensalts.us/References/Articles/SilverOverlay.pdf

 

Marie, how bad a shape is the silver deposit in? Is there a way to make it look more presentable?

 

Any Jewelry, it has a lot of scratches, the silver is worn off in a lot of places. The poor thing is a nice bowl but it will never be presentable. Luckily I only paid $2 for it.

Thanks 2manybooks for that link. Maybe since it is a loss I'll play with it and see what happens. If I get anywhere I will report back.

 

Hi,
If you really want the silver off use a rubber eraser. With some elbow grease it will come off. Remember if it is bright silver colored it is NOT silver but platinium. Real silver including sterling will tarnish. If it does not tarnish it is probably platinum.
greg

 

It was nearly black when I got it, once I used a gentle silver polish I could see the damage

I will try the rubber eraser Greg, thanks!

 

I have seen a few instances where the silver deposit has peeled or flaked off and below the silver, there was a white, possibly etched outline of the pattern. It seemed to me that the surface of the glass was etched to facilitate the bonding of the silver to glass.

 

I was successful using a paste of baking soda and a soft cloth......lots of elbow grease. The item was a cobalt console bowl.

 

A few years ago, I used silver leaf and "gilded" it onto a glass piece for a friend. First, I used a coat of acrylic or polyurethane to build up a little thickness and to create a smooth shiny surface. I followed the design with a tiny brush. After that dried, I painted oil size over the missing design area with a tiny brush. Once the size came to tack, I used real silver leaf on that area. From a distance, it looked fine, up close, you could see the difference. She has it displayed on a high shelf and you can't tell from that distance.

 

Thanks Judy, I will give the baking soda paste a try

 

You're welcome! I hope it works for you.

I should've mentioned that mine had multiples of rings......no heavy pattern.