QuestionOn 5/26/2006 you answered a question about
removing rhodium plating on silver.
I was hoping you had discovered something new and exciting since then.
Yes, this stuff P**S*S me off! I can't tell you the number of jobs I not only could repair, but screwed up royally when I cut or soldered on 'em!
Someone told she just reverses polarity in her nickel solution (she and I agree that rhodium isn't the culprit here, but rather nickel.)
I'm soaking a pair of cheap earrings in my pickle (pH up granular hot-tub acid) and they're turning red...good sign I hope, maybe the nickel has dissolved and I'm looking at copper plating. Lord knows how I'll get it off.
BTW, I've use stripper solution (12 sodium cyanide eggs, 2 tbsps potassium cyanide & 1 tbsp potassium sodium tartrate in 1 gal. water) & it doesn't work on that.
AnswerRay, perhaps the best solution is not to do any repairs on items which are rhodium plated and made of silver. Gold items have only the rhodium plate and that is not a problem. If there is chance a silver item is plated, I simply will not accept the job since it cannot be done well in any regard.
Rhodium unfortunately does not electrostrip. This would take abrasive removal. That is a pain totally but is the means.
For other stripping, you might try this stuff:
http://www.contenti.com/products/plating/350-975.html
It does of course require a rectifier and is not a simple dip as are some cyanide solutions. I do not know what the other ingredients are. Still, this will not remove rhodium.
Best wishes with this. I understand the sentiment and that is why I simply will not do any items where rhodium must be completely removed and possibly has a nickel and copper underplate.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
