topic Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish in Kitchen

Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

AuntG — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 21:38:46 GMT

Today I attempted to clean some mid-century candlesticks using a commercial silver cleaner (TARN-X). It's real splotchy looking, with some shiny siver showing, but there are a lot of foggy (opaque white) spots on the candlesticks too. I Googled a description, but nothing came up that resembles what they look like. Anyone know what it is? I'm worried that the sterling is damaged.

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

skatting44 — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 21:44:54 GMT

The sterling may been thin or worn in those areas

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

PA Mom-mom — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 21:56:43 GMT

@AuntG Could the silver have been lacquered? Not sue what it would look like if you tried to polish previously lacquered silver, but we have some brass pieces that were lacquered, and they can't really be polished in the way plain brass can.

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

AuntG — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 22:12:23 GMT

@PA Mom-mom wrote:
@AuntG Could the silver have been lacquered? Not sue what it would look like if you tried to polish previously lacquered silver, but we have some brass pieces that were lacquered, and they can't really be polished in the way plain brass can.

I don't think so @PA Mom-mom . The brand is TOWLE Sterling. From what I learned on the internet, it was probably made between 1945 and 1955. It's a weighted sterling. People are selling sets on Ebay for around $50 so it's not the value as much as the memories. I think they were a wedding gift to my parents.

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

ECBG — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 22:16:12 GMT

They may be silver plated which was very popular in those days.

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

Kachina624 — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 22:18:52 GMT

@AuntG Perhaps you could contact the company and ask them.

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

Kachina624 — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 22:22:03 GMT

@ECBG wrote:
They may be silver plated which was very popular in those days.

@ECBG She said they're marked Sterling which means solid silver, not plated.

Very strange they don't shine up unless someone at some time tried to clean them with something caustic.

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

Somertime — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 23:04:01 GMT

Tarnx is the worst product to use on good silver. Get some good silver polish: Wright's or Haggerty's and plenty of elbow grease and then a very good buffing!

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

kare29 — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 23:25:04 GMT

There is a YouTube video by Angela Brown Cleaning from 2018 on how to remove tarnish and she was using TarnX. I skimmed it quickly and she mentioned some of the pieces she was cleaning for a client had to be done more than once to achieve really great results. You may find it worthwhile to watch it.

Because these pieces have such a sentimental value maybe you should speak with a rep at Jelmar, the company that makes Tarn-X. Their phone number is 800-323-5497 and they open at 8:30AM. (Skokie, IL)

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

Desertdi — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 00:05:36 GMT

@AuntG Is it possible your candlesticks are PEWTER? That was popular in the 70's for decorative articles. di

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

Kachina624 — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 00:47:08 GMT

@Desertdi I though of that, but not if they say "Towle Sterling".

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

Imaoldhippie — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 14:18:42 GMT

@AuntG ................I ruined some SS jewelry with Tarnex.

That stuff is potent! It may have taken the SS finish off in the cloudy areas especially if its plated.

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

Mindy D — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 14:31:58 GMT

@AuntG @Listen to sommertime. Tarnx is the worst silver cleaner. Rinse off items and start again, using the better cleaners.

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

Sooner — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 19:03:25 GMT

@AuntG Can you see tiny scratches? Sounds like someone might have used a fine abrasive on them.

Do they say "Sterling Weighted" on the bottom? Or do they just say sterling? A lot of candlesticks are sterling but are filled in the bottom with something to give them weight so they don't tip over.

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

AuntG — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 00:37:00 GMT

@Sooner they are definitely weighted. I remember my mom using a paste and polishing cloth on them. I think I used the wrong product and ruined them. My bad!

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

KatieB — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 01:17:01 GMT

@AuntG This may have already been posted but this is what I found:

If Tarn-X is left on too long and is allowed to dry, it may discolor. Silver may turn golden, cloudy or dark gray. To remove the discoloration, fill a small bowl with 1/2 warm water, 1/2 Tarn-X and two drops of dish soap (Palmolive, Joy, etc.). With a soft clean cloth, wash the item with the mixture and rinse with cold clean water immediately. Dry the item off with a soft clean cloth. As a final step, apply a silver polish, to protect the item. This should restore your piece to its original condition. For large items, make sure you clean about 1/3 of the item at a time.

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

AuntG — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 16:11:00 GMT

Thank you @KatieB , I'll give it a try.

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

KatieB — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 17:18:02 GMT

@AuntG wrote:
Thank you @KatieB , I'll give it a try.

@AuntG Let us know how they turn out after you've tried it.

Re: Sterling candlesticks have cloudy finish

50Mickey — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 17:28:51 GMT

I agree that Tarn-X is not good to use on sterling and especially silverplate. I used it on a few pieces of tarnished silverplate flatware and it took the shine off. and left the pieces cloudy. I recommend Wright's silver cream polish. Apply it wipe, it off and then buff the candlesticks,. Then rinse it in cool water and completely dry with a soft cloth. Good Luck.