Removing Enamel

[Jasmin]

Does anyone have any advice on removing overfired enamel from the areas that I can't reach with a file on an intricate fine silver piece? It's a pendant in the shape of a cherry blossom branch with lots of little flowers that were enamelled for a little too long - it was one of my first attempts at enamelling, and whilst I'm still no better at it :) I thought I should try and salvage this little piece.

(Sorry if it has been asked before, I did a search but the results were all over the place!)

Thank you!

[Goldsmith]

To strip hard fired enamels a professional enameller would use hydrofluoric acid, this highly corrosive acid will dissolve glass but it should not be used by amatuers. If you have an enameler tutor get them to strip the piece for you. This acid should only be used by someone who knows what they are doing.
James

[MuranoSilver]

If it's flat enamel you could try thermal shock....
Heat the piece red hot then quickly drop into a steel pot filled with iced water
if that doesn't work then some folks have found that using cream of tartar can help.
The technique is described in enamelling on metal clay by Pam East :)
Nic x

[Jasmin]

My Amazon wish list grows and grows...! I'll try the home-friendly remedies first, and if that fails, I will track down someone who can try the acid method for me. Thank you so much James and Nic - I don't know what I would do without this forum!
Jasmin