Comments on: Sealing Base Metal Wire to Preserve the Shine?

By: Max

Max — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 20:59:11 +0000

In reply to Fay. Fay, try using acetone (nail polish remover). Xylene is not formulated for lacquers.

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 02:57:03 +0000

In reply to Lisa. Lisa, thanks so much for finding these great tips and for sharing them! :)

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 23:16:01 +0000

I recently contacted Everbrite that makes Protectaclear. One thing they told me is that you should have at least three coats on it and after the last coat, bake cure it to make the coating harder. Here is their instructions. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees F. Put your items on a cookie sheet lined with foil and place the sheet in the hot oven for 1 hour. After the hour is up, take them out and let them cool. Once cool they are completely cured and you are good to go!

By: Lena

Lena — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 10:49:23 +0000

In reply to Gayle. Try soaking in lacquer thinner to remove the sealer. Use caution when using as it is highly flammable, use outdoors.

By: Denise

Denise — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 04:43:14 +0000

In reply to Listen Linda Listen. I also use Vintaj clear glaze. It works great!

By: Susan C

Susan C — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 19:47:18 +0000

I believe it’s Beadalon that sells craft wire that is non-tarnish. I’ve seen it at Michaels craft store. It says right on the package. Oh, and it’s silver colored. There may be other colors I’m not sure.

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 19:39:22 +0000

In reply to Duane Aldrich. Duane, thanks for sharing this helpful research. :)

By: Duane Aldrich

Duane Aldrich — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 19:36:14 +0000

I’ve used Protectaclear without any issues on sterling. I only use it on items like earrings and necklaces that don’t get wear from rubbing like a ring or bracelet will. This way the coating doesn’t wear off as easily. Rings & bracelets seam to get enough wear to keep the tarnish at bay. I also put anti tarnish strips in the boxes with my items. I’m currently testing Protectaclear with my Ethiopian Opal pieces too. I’m hoping it seals the opal so that it doesn’t absorb moisture and chemicals near it. This should help keep them from changing colors. So far, after 6 months, it’s working.

By: Gayle

Gayle — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 18:19:54 +0000

In reply to Listen Linda Listen.

For my $.02, I’d use a bit of caution with that Vintaj Glaze. I made about 6 Steampunk necklaces and coated them w/a couple of coats (letting them dry, etc.). I gave one to my daughter who wore it to a dance and the perspiration caused it to discolor to a milky white and she could scratch it off in one place! Needless to say, I didn’t sell the other ones – I’ve been wondering if I could maybe soak them in something to remove the Sealer and use something else. Does anyone have any ideas? I appreciate any ideas.

By: Listen Linda Listen

Listen Linda Listen — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 13:08:06 +0000

I started using Vintaj brand Glaze which made to be used to seal metal. There are a smooth and matte version. I put it on shiny copper and it dried smooth and shiny. Used a very small brush to keep glaze thin when I applied it. Available at local craft stores or online.

By: Dianne Jacques

Dianne Jacques — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 11:35:13 +0000

I have used Protectaclear to seal some copper/brass pieces, never used it on wire. It works or a while, but any “sealer” is eventually going to wear off. It’s a lot easier to store with an anti-tarnish strip and polish occasionally.

By: Fay

Fay — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 11:31:17 +0000

Oh what a can of worms you have opened! Lacquer, wax … I have done it all. Renaissance Wax is not harmful but only lasts a short while and can actually add dullness in the recessed areas. ProtectaClear (a lacquer) is fine for copper and brass but will turn a putrid yellow color on silver wires over time, totally ruining the piece. I have tried to remove it with Xylene (a noxious chemical) to no avail and ended up re-wrapping 150 pieces and I can tell you, I was irked! Now, I wrap or cover my silver pieces with Pacific cloth before storing them between shows. Pacific cloth is the fabric that silver flatware chests are lined with that prevents tarnish from adhering to the silver. You can easily find it online but, a word of caution, there are lesser brands that are less expensive = less effective and short-lived. Pacific cloth is always brown in color and sells for about $24./yard plus s&h. The good thing is, with proper care, it lasts forever. At the end of a show, I lightly wipe finger prints off of my products, then cover with Pacific cloth and put them away until the next show. At least once a year, I give all of my pieces a good polishing with Sunshine cloths or in a tumbler. Also, if you do use a jeweler’s cloth, such as the Sunshine cloth, be sure to wash the jewelry with soap and water as the last step. And, another tip, the manufacturer of Sunshine cloths tells you that they are no longer good after they turn black from use. After they turn black, I dampen them slightly and continue to use them for a while.

By: Katie Murphy

Katie Murphy — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 11:07:04 +0000

Look at article below, she speaks of sealing her work.