Horosilv Silvering Powder

Description

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Higher Silver Content

One of the main differences between Horosilv and our traditional clock dial silvering powder is its higher silver content.

Horosilv is a silver chloride-based formulation designed specifically for professional horological silvering and brass re-silvering.

This gives restorers a choice between two different silvering products:

• Horosilv Silvering Powder – higher silver content and silver chloride based, intended for professional clock dial and brass re-silvering.
• Priory Polishes Antique Clock Dial Silvering Powder – our traditional silvering powder made to an age-old recipe and widely used by clock restorers for its traditional finish.

Both products are intended for suitable metal restoration work, but they offer a different formulation and restoration approach.

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What is Horosilv used for?

Horosilv is designed for restoring a silvered appearance to suitable brass surfaces.

Typical applications include:

• Antique clock dial restoration
• Brass clock dial re-silvering
• Chapter ring restoration
• Clock face restoration
• Horological restoration
• Brass plaques
• Decorative brass components
• Other suitable brass restoration projects

It is particularly suited to clock dials and chapter rings where a clean, uniform silver finish is required.

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How to use Horosilv Silvering Powder

Horosilv is applied directly to a properly prepared brass surface using a damp cloth.

1. Remove old lacquer, silvering and other unsuitable coatings from the brass.
2. Prepare the brass surface so that it is clean and suitable for silvering.
3. Thoroughly degrease the surface.
4. Use a clean, slightly damp cloth to apply the Horosilv Silvering Powder.
5. Rub the powder over the brass using circular motions.
6. Continue working across the surface until the silver finish develops evenly.
7. Rinse or clean the surface as appropriate after the silvering process.
8. Allow the dial or component to dry thoroughly.
9. Apply a suitable protective lacquer if required.

Cleanliness is extremely important. Grease, fingerprints and contamination on the brass surface can interfere with the silvering reaction and produce uneven results.

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Preparing a brass clock dial

The quality of the finished silvering depends heavily on the preparation of the brass.

Any old lacquer, damaged silvering, dirt or other coating should be removed so that the Horosilv can react with the clean brass surface.

Once the dial has been prepared, it should be thoroughly degreased before silvering.

Do not touch the prepared surface with bare fingers. Fingerprints can leave grease on the brass and result in uneven silvering.

Where appropriate, the brass can also be prepared with a traditional spun finish before applying the silvering powder.

For engraved clock dials, any damaged or missing black wax in the numerals should be restored before completing the final finishing stages.

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Applying Horosilv

Horosilv is designed for simple application.

Use a clean, slightly damp cloth and apply the powder directly to the prepared brass surface.

Work the powder into the metal using circular motions, covering the surface evenly.

Work methodically across the dial or brass component rather than concentrating heavily on one area.

As the powder reacts with the prepared brass, the traditional silver appearance will begin to develop.

The condition of the brass, the level of preparation and the way the powder is applied will all influence the final appearance.

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Finishing the silvered dial

Once the desired silver finish has been achieved, the surface should be thoroughly cleaned and dried.

For clock dial restoration, a suitable finishing powder can be used where required.

Horofinish Finishing Powder is available separately and is designed to complement Horosilv and other clock dial silvering processes.

Once the silvered surface is completely dry, a suitable clear protective lacquer can be applied where appropriate.

For engraved clock dials, Silver lacquer should be applied particularly carefully and in thin coats to avoid softening and disturbing the black dial wax.

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Horosilv compared with traditional silvering powder

Priory Polishes offers two distinct approaches to clock dial silvering.

Horosilv Silvering Powder

Horosilv is a silver chloride-based professional silvering powder with higher silver content. It is intended for clean brass clock dials, chapter rings and other suitable brass components.

Priory Polishes Antique Clock Dial Silvering Powder

Our traditional Antique Clock Dial Silvering Powder is made to an age-old recipe and has been supplied to the horological trade and clock restorers for many years.

It remains a popular choice for restorers who want the traditional finish associated with this long-established silvering method.

The choice between the two products therefore depends on the formulation and restoration method preferred by the restorer.

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Important information

• Horosilv should be used on clean, suitable brass surfaces.
• Thorough preparation and degreasing are essential. Fingerprints, grease and other contamination can interfere with the silvering reaction and cause uneven colouring.
• Do not apply Horosilv over old lacquer or other coatings. The brass surface needs to be properly prepared before silvering.
• Always test the product on a suitable spare piece or inconspicuous area before working on a valuable or irreplaceable antique clock dial.
• When handling silvering powders, avoid creating or breathing dust. Avoid contact with the eyes and skin and follow the appropriate safety information supplied with the product.
• Store the product appropriately in accordance with the product safety information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Horosilv Silvering Powder?

Horosilv is a professional silver chloride-based silvering powder designed for re-silvering clean brass clock dials, chapter rings and other suitable brass components.

Does Horosilv have a higher silver content?

Yes. Horosilv has a higher silver content than our traditional Antique Clock Dial Silvering Powder. This is one of the key differences between the two products.

What is Horosilv made from?

Horosilv is a silver chloride-based silvering powder formulated for horological restoration and brass re-silvering.

What can Horosilv be used for?

It is primarily used for re-silvering suitable brass clock dials, clock faces, chapter rings, plaques and decorative brass components.

Can I use Horosilv on a brass clock dial?

Yes. Horosilv is specifically designed for use on clean brass surfaces and is particularly suited to brass clock dials and chapter rings.

How do I apply Horosilv?

Apply Horosilv to a clean, grease-free brass surface using a slightly damp cloth. Rub the powder into the surface using circular motions until the silver finish develops evenly.

Does the brass need to be completely clean?

Yes. Thorough cleaning and degreasing are essential. Grease, fingerprints and other contamination can prevent the silvering reaction from taking place evenly.

Can Horosilv be applied over old lacquer?

No. The brass surface needs to be properly prepared and free from old lacquer and other coatings before applying the silvering powder.

Can I use Horosilv on a plated clock dial?

Horosilv is intended for clean brass surfaces rather than existing plated or coated surfaces. Any old surface treatment needs to be assessed and appropriately removed before silvering.

Can Horosilv be used on aluminium?

Horosilv is formulated for brass and should not be assumed to be suitable for aluminium.

Can I use Horosilv on engraved clock dials?

Yes, provided the underlying dial is suitable brass and has been properly prepared. Engraved numerals can be restored using Black Engravers Wax as part of the overall dial restoration process.

What finishing powder should I use with Horosilv?

Horofinish Finishing Powder is designed to complement Horosilv and is available separately.

Do I need to lacquer the finished dial?

A suitable clear lacquer can be applied after the silvered surface has been thoroughly dried. This can help protect the restored finish from oxidation and handling.

What is the difference between Horosilv and your traditional Silvering Powder?

Horosilv is a silver chloride-based powder with higher silver content, whereas the Antique Clock Dial Silvering Powder is made to a traditional age-old recipe and is supplied with its own finishing powder.

Which silvering powder should I use?

Both products are intended for clock and horological restoration, but they have different formulations. Horosilv provides the higher-silver-content option, while the traditional Antique Clock Dial Silvering Powder is suited to restorers specifically looking for the established traditional formulation and finish.

What sizes is Horosilv available in?

Horosilv Silvering Powder is currently available in 120g and 250g sizes.

Is Horosilv suitable for professional clock restorers?

Yes. Horosilv is positioned as a professional silvering powder for horological restoration and is suitable for experienced clock restorers and horologists as well as knowledgeable restoration enthusiasts.

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Important: Always prepare and degrease the brass thoroughly before silvering and test the process before treating an important antique clock dial.