Posted 2007-06-28 6:08 AM (#63001) Subject: cleaning silver on a saddle
Member
Posts: 18
Location: indiana
We obtained a show saddle at a very reasonable price. The silver isn't silver mesa, therefor there is some tarnish. I've cleaned some of it and it shined up really well. Just wondering if there were any tips or tricks any of you had for cleaning and protecting the silver.
Posted 2007-06-28 9:48 AM (#63016 - in reply to #63001) Subject: RE: cleaning silver on a saddle
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824 Location: Kansas
Every so often I take all my silver off the saddle, put it in an aluminum cake pan with washing soda and let it soak. You will be amazed at how the tarnish comes off with just wiping. You can buy one of those fancy disks they sell but it is just aluminum and I found the cake pan held it better than filling the sink and adding the disk.
Posted 2007-06-28 11:09 AM (#63023 - in reply to #63001) Subject: RE: cleaning silver on a saddle
Member
Posts: 18
Location: indiana
Thanks. I had heard about the aluminum foil, but was leary about taking the silver off of the saddle, and then trying to get it back on. I'll try the toothpaste
Posted 2007-07-03 3:32 PM (#63250 - in reply to #63001) Subject: RE: cleaning silver on a saddle
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824 Location: Kansas
Guess I'm older than I thought, because I asked myself several times-who said anything about aluminum foil???? Then it dawned on me-I didn't mean a disposable cake pan. I have a regular 9x13x2 cake pan that is heavy duty aluminum that I use. I have found a couple of missing screw heads by removing the silver that may have prevented my losing a piece or poking a horse. I only do it about once every year or so then touch up in between. It's a PITB but less messy than trying to keep silver polish off the leather. Everyone has their favorite methods. I'm even weird enough to enjoy polishing silver.
Posted 2007-07-03 9:30 PM (#63255 - in reply to #63001) Subject: RE: cleaning silver on a saddle
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: Cherokee, Ia
We have a couple older show saddles with German silver on them that tarnishes also. Found this polishing stuff for auto chrome, wheels...it's in a small can, kind of a wadding that you just rip off a piece and polish away. Works great. Did all the chrome on our trailer also, really cleaned up well, and lasted throughout the year. Look in the automotive dept. The polish is built into the wadding, so it doesn't get all over the leather.
Posted 2007-07-08 11:24 AM (#63458 - in reply to #63001) Subject: RE: cleaning silver on a saddle
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: Cherokee, Ia
The polish I bought was called "Mother's -something,( sorry can't find the can right now) It's in a small sliver can, pop off lid...Bought it at Bomgaars( farm supply store in the auto wax dept) O'reilleys automotive also carries it. Looks like cotton wadding when you open the can, it will kinda make your hands dirty, but really polishes silver great. The person before had used Comet(yes, comet) cleanser on this silver. Nasty, green, used this wadding stuff, sparkles now. I think any wadding polish will work great, this also polishes silver silverware, copper pot bottoms, and like I said, the chrome strips on the roof of our trailer were nasty, but now they shine! Good luck!
Posted 2007-07-10 7:53 AM (#63562 - in reply to #63001) Subject: RE: cleaning silver on a saddle
Expert
Posts: 1719 Location: PA
The best polish is Haggertys in a blue spray can. Spray it on fairly lightly, let it dry to a pink haze, then buff it off. If you get dark marks on your leather, spray Windex on a clean soft rag and wipe it off. I was told this by Harris saddle makers, one of the best in the busniness, and it workd!
cleaning silver on a saddle
