[Jewelry making - Article 00941] - Re: [Orchid] Etching and red and brown stains on brass

[Katherine Palochak]

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>        I tried several of the suggested Hydrogen Peroxide Pickles,
>     both using Sparex and/or vinegar and then the Sparex dip.  They
>     partially worked (removed about 60% of the red stain and brown
>     sludge) but did leave a grainy texture which I don't like (which is
>     why I removed the piece at 60% clean). But beyond that, it seemed
>     to eat away the solder seams at a faster rate, so now the joins are
>     recessed which of course looks horrible. 

    I usually etch first, then solder. Peroxide pickles attack copper
    bases, but not silver. It is a weak etch, which is why you get the
    slightly frosted appearance. This is why it's useful for lifting
    firescale. But--since you don't want it to etch your soldered seams,
    you can use a quick brush up with some fingernail polish before
    putting it in the pickle, which can be removed, after cleaning up
    the stains from the pickle, with fingernail polish remover. 

>        The solder is a whole other problem. I'm using silver solder
>     because I can't find a brass one that will flow. 

    A nicely colored brass solder is available from Rio, Thunderbird and
    IJS. However, it's not brass solder nor Foss-flo. It's silver
    solder, #45 and #30, which contains 45% and 30% silver respectively.
    Their high copper and zinc content gives it a brass color that
    closely matches red brass. It has a high cadmium content to lower
    the solder flow temperature, and you must have adequate protection
    from the fumes. These low-temp flow solders will prevent staining on
    red brass soldering. This staining is probably the result of getting
    your brass too hot, in order to solder with high-temp flow solders.
    This causes the copper to rise to the surface from the alloy.

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