3627. To Silver Silk, Woolen, Cotton, Etc

3627.    To Silver Silk, Woolen, Cotton, Etc. "When it is intended to silver silk, woolen, cotton, etc., commence by washing the substance clean; this done, immerse it for a moment in the saturated solution of gallic acid; then withdraw it to plunge it for a second in another solution composed of 20 parts nitrate of silver to 1000 parts distilled water. These alternate immersions are continued, until the substance from being dark becomes of a brilliant tint; after that it is plunged in a bath composed of a mixture of the two liquors, Nos. 1 and 2. (See No. 3626 (Process for Silvering Animal, Vegetable, or Mineral Substances).) "When it is completely silvered, it is withdrawn and boiled in a solution of salt of tartar (carbonate of potassa)in water, and there remains nothing more to be done but a last washing and drying.

3628. To Silver Bone, Horn, Paper, Etc

3628.    To Silver Bone, Horn, Paper, Etc. Bone, horn, wood, paper, etc., are silvered in the same way (see No. 3627 (To Silver Silk, Woolen, Cotton, Etc)) with this difference, however, that, in the place of the alternate immersions above indicated, the objects to be silvered are operated upon with a brush or pencil dipped alternately in the gallic acid solution and in that of nitrate of silver. The silvered surfaces are then washed with distilled water, dried by free air and heat.

3629. To Silver Leather

3629.    To Silver Leather. For leather tanned with sumach, in the place of nitrate of silver (see No. 3627 (To Silver Silk, Woolen, Cotton, Etc)) the chloride mixed with a few drops of rosemary oil may be employed with advantage. The silvered surface is then washed and dried as directed in last receipt.

3630. To Silver Stucco and Pottery

3630.    To Silver Stucco and Pottery. Stucco and pottery may be silvered by the same process as No. 3628, but before being submitted to the operation they should be covered with a coat of stearine or varnish.

3631. To Silver Glass, Crystal, or Porcelain

3631.     To Silver Glass, Crystal, or Porcelain. To silver glass, costal, or porcelain, commence by washing thoroughly (see No. 3621 (To Clean the Surface of Glass for Silvering)) the object with distilled water, and with alcohol, and then operate as has been said with the mixture. (See No. 3626 (Process for Silvering Animal, Vegetable, or Mineral Substances).) Objects with a plane surface should be placed in a horizontal position, and the liquor poured upon them. (See Nos. 3618 (To Silver Specula and Other Glass Surfaces), etc..) When mirrors are to be silvered, the plates of glass may be disposed in a vertical position; place them two and two face against face, in troughs of gutta perch a, taking care to prevent all contact with the sides; then fill with the liquid. Precipitation of silver commences in a quarter of an hour, and at the end of a few hours the operation is finished. "When dry, coat the silvered surface with varnish.

3632. To Silver the Metals

3632.     To Silver the Metals. Commence by cleansing them with nitric acid; rub them afterwards with a mixture of cyanide of potassium and powdered silver; then, after washing with water, they are plunged alternately into the liquors Nos. 1 and 2 (see No. 3626 (Process for Silvering Animal, Vegetable, or Mineral Substances)), until they appear sufficiently silvered. If working with iron, it should be first immersed in a solution of sulphate of copper. The process which has been described presents above all others the advantage of very solid results, and of employing chemical agents of low price.