QuestionI soaked the ring in acetone for almost 72 hours, and it appeared to have little if any effect on the antique finish (black paint) which I was hoping to remove. I tried scrubbing also after this soaking, with still no result. Any other suggestions besides acetone?
Thanks,
Chris Coz
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Followup To
Question -
Thanks for the very detailed and thorough response! I don't have any stones on the ring, so it sounds like the acetone is the right approach. I appreciate the help.
God bless you as well,
Chris Coz
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Followup To
Question -
I have a Balfour 14K white gold class ring with an antique finish. I would like to remove the antique finish so as to obtain a natural finish. A few jewelers have indicated that soaking the ring in acetone serve this purpose well. However, when I called Balfour (the ring manufaturer) - they indicated there is no way to remove the antique finish as the use of chemicals could discolor/damage the gold ring. Please advise.
Thanks,
Chris Coz
Answer -
Chris, thanks for the question. Generally, the hardest thing a jeweler has to do when working with a class ring is NOT to remove the antiqued finish! Your case is the opposite.
I don't know what chemicals Balfour might think would be used or if they just think the rings are better with the antiqued background, a staple of the class ring business.
Many modern class rings have a dark background which is either a resin based material or a special paint material. This may be safely removed with acetone in most cases. The problem is this: Is there a stone and is there a plastic backing to the stone? If so, that WILL likely be damaged and soaking is not advised. Perhaps Balfour knows something of the stone part we do not know and does not want damage there. Sometimes we see antiquing which is actully a dark electroplated finish and not easy to remove but not often on most class rings, eventhough the factory finish is quite durable.
Often, a jeweler can use a light soak in acetone with out allowing the stone part to be covered, only the sides. But then the top is to contend with! One method possible is to use a steam cleaner(jeweler's high pressure steam jet). This will sometimes remove the dark color if it is a painted or resin type of finish.
The other recourse is abrasive use. This method is to be avoided if possible except for the use of fine and small abrasive brushes used by the jeweler carefully in a rotary tool. Some of the antique finish will remain in deepest recesses not reached by the brush. The ring will then need to be buffed to resore the shine to the surface.
The only concern I see with acetone is the possibility of a plastic backing on the stone, if there is one.
I do hope this helps. Let me know if you get a chance.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. August 31,2006 9:06pm
Answer -
Chris, I have to follow-up to your kind remarks to clear the question. Otherwise, the "machine" will think it is unanswered. Best wishes with the class ring.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. Sept. 01,2006 1:00pm
AnswerChris, I am disappointed the solvent did not work for you. I do not have other solvents to recommend, at least anything safe to use without specialized ventilation hoods! Even those may not do it. At this point, I suspect the dark patina may be a plated finish or a very well baked on speialized resin product.
My suggestion now is to go to abrasive cleaning, followed by strong and repeated steam cleaning to remove small pieces(if a coating) then more abrasive followed with the same. Unless you have the stuff to do it, this is a job for a bench jeweler.
My first approach would be to use fine brass brushes as used in rotary mahines like the jewelers flex-shaft machine or a variable speed "Dremel" type handpiece. The fine brass will remove most coatings and will with repeated use remove plated coloration. The effect will slightly round sharp edges of letters, etc. on the ring. That would have to be resanded lightly to restore some crispness to edges and remove the brushed finish of highlights. A final buffing with a jewelers rouge will make all bright again.
Other than that, sandblasting by a low pressure machine like very few but some jewelers have should remove the patina. This will also blast the high spots and repolishing would be needed. Sometimes, depending on the sandblaster cabinet and the sand or glass beads used, the high spots may be masked off with a nice thick coat of fingernail polish, protecting to some extent the outside surface. Still, repolishing will be needed.
In either case, some loss of detail in the ring may be expected. Sorry but that is how it works.
Let me know if you find a method or if you try one of these methods mentioned. Generally, the finish is not that difficult to remove. Yours must be very tenatious.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. Sept. 12, 2006 8:25pm
