What is Pickle?
Pickle is used by jeweler's to removing the flux and dissolving the fire scale (surface oxidation) created during the soldering (brazing) process.
Why is it called Pickle?
Vinegar was once used to clean metal, as well as preserve food. The liquid from a jar of pickles will remove surface oxidation. (Not my recommended product)
Does Pickle Need to be Hot?
Remember your chemistry, heat is a catalyst and increases the rate of a chemical reaction. Pickle can be used at room temperature, but it works much faster when heated to 180˙F. Overnight at room temperature, 2-3 minutes when heated. Although commercially made pickle pots are readily available, a small crock pot works very well.
Are there different kinds of Pickle?
Sulfuric Acid, a nasty but very effective acid in removing fire scale from sterling and gold. (not recommended) Bisodium Sulfate is more earth friendly and less caustic. If you breath the steam produced by the heating process, it can cause throat irritation. Citric Acid Pickle, is my new favorite, very friendly to you and the earth, easy to dispose of and works well.
What is Sparex?
Sparex is a brand name of a pickle thats key acid is sodium bisulfate. Black Magic Pickle is another brand using that acid. Much safer than sulfuric acid, it does an excellent job removing surface oxidation when heated and is much less caustic.
Why Citric Acid based Pickle?
The Citric Acid used in our Citri-Pickle is a byproduct from the processing of sugar cane. It is a natural food safe product that can be easily neutralized and friendlier to the environment than bisodium sulfate. It still is highly acidic and can cause skin irritation with prolonged contact. Click here for a full MSRD safety bulletin.
How do I use Citric Pickle?
Making Citric Pickle is easy. It is shipped in powdered form. Dilute 1 to 10 ratio (5 teaspoons of citri-pickle powder with 8 oz of water). Stir until dissolved. Place in Pickle Pot and heat to 180˙F. For room temperature use, dilute 1 part citric to 3 parts water.
How long does Citric Pickle last?
There is no particular shelf life for citric pickle. When you mix a batch (5 tsp per 8 oz of water) it can remain in your pickle pot until it is no longer effective. When you heat pickle, steam will escape and reduce the water level. Do not add more pickle, replace the water lost at the end of your soldering session. The solution can remain in the pot until you use it again.
How do I Know When its Time to Change the Pickle?
Firescale is made up of copper Ions, pickle strips off the copper and pulls it into the solution. As the solution begins to saturate with copper it will start to turn blue. Now, my pickle pots have always had a dark liner so blue does not show well. The best indication is that you notice that the Pickle does not clean as well as it used to .
How do I Neutralize Citric Acid?
Neutralizing Citric Acid is very easy. Pour a few tablespoons of baking soda into the pickle pot. The solution will bubble as it reacts with the acid. When the bubbling stops, add more baking soda. Repeat until the addition of baking soda no longer reacts in the solution. This neutral solution is biodegradable, but check with you local county hazardous materials center to ensure proper disposal.
Somebody said I need to use Copper Tongs?
Copper Tongs are the correct way to place and remove your items from the pickle pot. Pickling releases copper ions into the solution, they are floating around in abundance. Introduce a metal other than copper, like Zinc, into the pickle and it creates an electrochemical charge. That charge reverses the process and all those floating copper ions will be attracted to ther silver item in the pot and bond to the surface. Copper-Plated Sterling Silver is not your goal. Bisodium Sulfate and Citric Pickle are both Stainless Steel friendly, but good studio habits create great results.
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