How to clean a tarnished gold plated bracelet

[tbandy]

Hey guys Hope everyone are doing well.

Like the thread title said I am looking for advise on how to clean a tarnished gold plated bracelet two tones
Any recommendation, will be highly appreciated .

 

[aHero]

I’ve read about people using this with good results but I have not tried myself.

Amazon.com

 

[tbandy]

I’ve read about people using this with good results but I have not tried myself.

Amazon.com

Thank You, I will try it

 

[TESLA760]

Be very careful with whatever you use. The plating will wear off if you over polish. I've used a product called Worley's Wonder for over two decades. It does a very good job of cleaning. Most attempts I've made of actually polishing rep plating have ended up ruining the bracelet.

 

[JLK33]

Thank You, I will try it

I actually just bought that cloth, so far so good - no damage to the plating, nice brilliant residue free finish. FYI I was careful not to apply too much pressure with the interior polishing portion of the cloth. I did see some residue, so for all I know it's either dirt, or could be taking off small portions of the plating. No visible damage that I can see so far.

 

[tbandy]

Be very careful with whatever you use. The plating will wear off if you over polish. I've used a product called Worley's Wonder for over two decades. It does a very good job of cleaning. Most attempts I've made of actually polishing rep plating have ended up ruining the bracelet.

Thank You Sir I will take your advise

 

[Karbon74]

If it is to remove tarnish, there is a magic trick

put some aluminium foil bright side up in a bowl
put sodium bicarbonate
add hot water

Within a few minutes the tarnish will be gone. Does nothing against scratches though


disclaimer : I only tried this on jewelry, including plated gold. never on a watch bracelet. I guess you could first try on an unused link

 

[tbandy]

Great Info I will try it tomorrow and will let you know
Thank You !

 

[Karbon74]

oops. you need to add salt too
half half

 

[tbandy]

OK Will add salt

 

[fatarms]

As for the aluminum foil bowl thing... I'd highly advise against that method. Gold is a relatively inert metal that doesn't react with anything easily. Therefore, the electrochemical reaction (you're creating electrolyte by adding the salt and Na bicarbonate) is a transfer of electrons between the underlying metal and the aluminum foil. By doing so, this will (for lack of a better term) removing some of the substrate metal that the gold is adhering to and can cause the plating to also be removed. You're better off using the polishing cloth and lightly going over the tarnish using that.

<--- two patents in electrochemisty, not meant to brag, but to tell you I know the method this is using to remove the tarnish.

 

[APjumbo]

Just bought that gold cloth from Amazon, I’ll post a before and after when it arrives.

 

[Karbon74]

As for the aluminum foil bowl thing... I'd highly advise against that method. Gold is a relatively inert metal that doesn't react with anything easily. Therefore, the electrochemical reaction (you're creating electrolyte by adding the salt and Na bicarbonate) is a transfer of electrons between the underlying metal and the aluminum foil. By doing so, this will (for lack of a better term) removing some of the substrate metal that the gold is adhering to and can cause the plating to also be removed. You're better off using the polishing cloth and lightly going over the tarnish using that.

<--- two patents in electrochemisty, not meant to brag, but to tell you I know the method this is using to remove the tarnish.

You are right.
Thinking it through, jewelry is fully coated on all sides of the object. so no risk.

A bracelet especially two tone has uncovered areas.

 

[APjumbo]

This was only a minute of polishing
This is ARF, it is a darker shade than my BP Daydate. I prefer the Color of the Daydate and thought polishing this might lighten it up.

It may if I work on it more, or maybe ARF is just a darker Color from the factory.

The nice thing is the gold cloth took off some micro scratches and gunk without causing any damage.

Not sure if it’s a miracle cure for tarnish yet.

Right lug is after polishing quickly
Left lug is just wiped clean with a t-shirt.

Side of case before and after.

 

[shyreplover]

As for the aluminum foil bowl thing... I'd highly advise against that method. Gold is a relatively inert metal that doesn't react with anything easily. Therefore, the electrochemical reaction (you're creating electrolyte by adding the salt and Na bicarbonate) is a transfer of electrons between the underlying metal and the aluminum foil. By doing so, this will (for lack of a better term) removing some of the substrate metal that the gold is adhering to and can cause the plating to also be removed. You're better off using the polishing cloth and lightly going over the tarnish using that.

<--- two patents in electrochemisty, not meant to brag, but to tell you I know the method this is using to remove the tarnish.

I did this aluminium foil, baking soda, warm water on a couple of watches: a two tone tag heuer and a gold chopard. Both gen.
Came out shiny for the chopard. From orange back to yellow and shiny, no need polishing.
For the tag: the gold was black/rainbow in color on the bracelet particularly on the crevices. During the process most of the black "film" peeled off and the gold looks--- yellow gold again.

Not doubting your credential, this is just my personal experience. Had I read your opinion beforehand, I might not going to do it either.

 

[Karbon74]

I did this aluminium foil, baking soda, warm water on a couple of watches: a two tone tag heuer and a gold chopard. Both gen.
Came out shiny for the chopard. From orange back to yellow and shiny, no need polishing.
For the tag: the gold was black/rainbow in color on the bracelet particularly on the crevices. During the process most of the black "film" peeled off and the gold looks--- yellow gold again.

Not doubting your credential, this is just my personal experience. Had I read your opinion beforehand, I might not going to do it either.

if they were solid gold, it works fine and safely
the concern is about plated gold

that's why I suggested to test on spare links

 

[shyreplover]

@Karbon74
The chopard is solid gold.
The Tag Heuer is plated.

 

[Karbon74]

@Karbon74
The chopard is solid gold.
The Tag Heuer is plated.

personally I did that on plated jewellery several times without issues. But just once per piece. So yes, I am with you.

 

[pompompurin]

I use a battery-operated dremel (low power) with felt bit. Then I apply a small amount of autosol to the felt bit. I dremel very lightly and it works for me. As always, ymmv and proceed with caution.

 

[Kerbus]

I’ve used a product similar to Autosol on a Dremel as well. Do this very gently! It will brighten things up, it works wonders on solid gold jewelry