Solder Plating Using Spent Pickle

Recommended Tools & Supplies:
Safety Glasses;
0000 Steel Wool;
Copper Tongs; and,
Baking Soda

Purchases made using the Amazon links on the OJA website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com, help to financially support the OJA. On our website you'll also find links to products from Durston Tools that we have reviewed. Or, you can access Durston's website at durston.com/oja.

In this video, Prof. John Ahr demonstrates how you can hide silver solder seams on copper items using spent pickle. This simple technique does not require any electricity.

To accomplish the plating operation you'll need a container of spent pickle, steel wool, steel wire, tongs and a baking soda and water solution to neutralize your project and tools.

The longer you leave the piece in the solution the heavier the plating will become. But, you will reach a point were the copper stops attaching very well. At this point it's probably a good idea to remove the item from the spent pickle, neutralize it and tumble it. Tumbling will help to burnish the copper to the surface of the item.

If you continue to solder on the piece the copper plating will burn off and will need to be reapplied. Also, it is not advisable to attempt to enamel over a surface plated using this technique.

If you like this video there are many more like it included in the Online Jewelry Academy's playlist. You can find the OJA's videos organized by category on our website at: http://www.onlinejewelryacademy.com.

Subscribers to the OJA's YouTube channel have the option to receive regular notification of new OJA video releases. So, why not subscribe now? Be sure to click on the bell next to the subscribe button to turn on notifications.

The OJA offers complete courses on Udemy.com.
1. Beginners course "Colorful Silver Jewelry"
https://www.udemy.com/makingjewelry/?...
2. Intermediate course "Making Beautiful Articulated Hinged Jewelry"
https://www.udemy.com/articulatedhing...
3. Stone Setting Course "5 Ways To Enhance Jewelry Design Through Stone Setting"
https://www.udemy.com/stonesetting/?c...

Follow us on:
Instagram -   / onlinejewelryacademy   ​

​And, you can support the production of future OJA videos by making a monthly contribution at:   / onlinejewelryacademy  .