The silver plating solution is non-toxic and odour free. It is recommended you wear gloves and cover work surfaces to avoid possible staining (you may find you end up with stained yellowy fingers otherwise!).
No. The plating is a molecular reaction which bonds the silver particles to the metal. You will not notice a visible layer, as you would with paint for instance, but you will see the colour of the metal transform. The finish will depend on the texture of the metal you apply it to - so a textured metal will keep its texture.
This is a plating solution not a polishing solution. The finish will depend on the level of polish on the metal before plating. So if you apply it to a highly polished copper item your finish will be a highly polished silver, if however you apply it to a matt or satin-finished metal, the finish will still be matt or satin. You may notice some improvement in the shine as you buff it with a soft cloth after applying, and many worn plated metals will look much shinier simply because you have rejuvenated the silver plate. But it will not change the texture of the metal.
As long as it isn’t opened, the silver plating solution doesn’t have a shelf life. Once opened, however, it depends on how much you have used and therefore how much air is in the bottle - air will slowly cause the solution to dry out. Having said that, members of staff here have bottles which have been open and used for 3+ years which are still going strong!
Our silver plating solution offers an easy at home solution for re-plating and plating suitable metals. Electroplating is a different process which requires specialist equipment. Electroplating can also be used to plate items that would not ordinarily be able to be plated, by coating prior to plating with a layer of electrically conducting metal such a copper, which allows it to be silver plated.
To view our silver plating solution click here.
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If you have any questions on silver plating process, Silver Plating Equipment. We will give the professional answers to your questions.