Repair work on 375 mixed metal ring... thick black gunk!

**ps_bond** · 09-01-2021, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by Madge

Caustic soda sounds scary Peter?!

It's something to treat with caution - but most chemicals are, really. It's very effective on accumulated gunk in rings, providing there's no stones that won't handle it.

**Madge** · 09-01-2021, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by ps_bond

It's something to treat with caution - but most chemicals are, really. It's very effective on accumulated gunk in rings, providing there's no stones that won't handle it.

Great thanks, if it doesn't go back I might give that a try.
Thanks for your help.

Maria

**art925** · 11-01-2021, 09:54 AM

Seems its probably the gunk keeping it together.

**Madge** · 12-01-2021, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by art925

Seems its probably the gunk keeping it together.

This was my worry!

Thanks all for for your guidance. I have just finished it. I soaked in some boiling water and then blasted with my household steam cleaner, then had another go at heating and low and behold no more gunk bubbling up..phew.
I burnished the cracked bit down and held in my third hand, used some easy 18ct solder i had lying around as couldn't find any 9ct easy.
It's worked to solder down the little crack that had curled up and have polished out the surface scratches and hopefully she can wear again for a while (until new cracks appear no doubt!).

Maria