Forums » General Discussions

Back To Topics

Thompson 2020 turning blue on depletion fine silver.

  • Trish White
    • Moderator
    • 114 posts
    May 29, 2013 8:19 AM EDT

    Girl, You are having some serious problems lately!!! I just depletion gilded yesterday a sample piece with Ninomya N3 flux and both samples came out yellow - I was so careful with the temp at 1450 for a minute and a half. I am beginning to rethink depletion and take Kristin Anderson's advice and use Nitric Acid dip to quickly pull up the Fine Silver Crust. Did you read her notes in Notebook 1 - "Champleve tab"? very interesting.

  • Karen Lee-Thompson
    • 0 posts
    May 29, 2013 10:25 PM EDT

    I think I might have figured it out:-)!  My pickle was really old.  I think it was leaving copper oxide behind in the fine silver and I wasn't burnishing it down enough.  I've never used Ninomya N3 flux.  I'll have to look at that entry.  thanks for the heads up on that.  I'm just glad the transparent I was working with wasn't critical to the piece.  I'm ready for some more smooth sailing;-)

  • Trish White
    • Moderator
    • 114 posts
    May 30, 2013 8:59 AM EDT

    I think I am going to give Nitric Acid a chance - just way too much time taken depleting and pickling. I have switched from Sparex to Swimming Pool "ph Minus" which is safer to use- and goes a long way.

    Listen to me, I make no sense - going safer without Sparex, but embracing Nitric Acid!!ha ha

    I am a mad artist!

  • Karen Lee-Thompson
    • 0 posts
    May 28, 2013 7:24 PM EDT

    I am firing 2020 on depletion gilded sterling.  Have been firing at a low temp, not digital so not exact, 1395 to 1400.  Have had a hard time with 2020 either going yellow or blue. Am thinking i must be over/under firing or to high/low.  Any thoughts?