What is the powder used in this video ?

[richiesgr]

Hi 

I'm looking to restore vintage silver dial on wrist watch and I've seen this video from @Mark. I would like to try his technic for dial restoration may be someone know what silver coating powder he used I found this one https://priorypolishes.co.uk/product/clock-dial-silvering-restoration-kit/ but I'm not sure may be it's something completely different 

Thanks   

 

[nickelsilver]

It appears he's using standard silvering powder, and the link looks like standard silvering powder. The silvering powder is a combination of silver nitrate, salt, (or silver chloride, which is what you get when mixing silver nitrate and salt), with cream of tartar and sometimes a little alum. There are many recipes. Having mixed up quite a few, I will say it's far less trouble and with more consistent results to buy the ready made mix like in your link.

 

The finishing powder they list is just cream of tartar. You do have to lacquer the surface or it will tarnish.

[richiesgr]

Thanks a lot @nickelsilver can you help me regarding the lacquer I've buy an acrylic Lacque to try but I it's too much thick to be be used on a dial so I think there is out there much adapted product do yo have any reference ?

Thanks 

[nickelsilver]

It's been quite a while since I did one, but you want a lacquer that is thin, yes. You can try a spray, but on a small piece like a dial it can be hard to get an even coat without orange peel texture, ideally you find something that can be brushed and that you can thin to a water like consistency. It will take some experimentation.