A breakthrough for my silver-trimmed Wexford: a few weeks ago, I discovered professional silversmith/polisher Harriete Estel Berman through a search for silver and silverplate care, namely, via the silver care tab of her site. A short email exchange about silver applied to glassware led to a suggested test that parallels the care instructions for holloware on the link above.
To back up the story: the few past attempts to polish the silver trim on Wexford threatened to remove the plating before removing the tarnish. The take-away then was to leave the silver tarnished, most to a level that looked like pewter, since any grounds made toward polishing would simply retarnish over time.
The new silver care instructions both suggested a best option silver polish and introduced me to Renaissance Wax. Learning that I could seal the silver trim with the wax to slow the oxidation allowed me to maintain a polished state of these pieces.
The process was slow but rewarding; the results, rewarding. I divided the work over two weekends, taking approximtely fourteen hours to polish through my collection, waxing each piece as I went. The process is slow and tedious, but not hard. I went through two sleeves of makeup pads. I used most of the bottle of Hagerty polish and most of the 65ml can of Renaissance wax.
I followed the sites instructions for polishing holloware, which was identical to the suggestion via our email conversation: cotton makeup pads, lots of polish. The Renaissance wax is simply rubbing on and polishing as soon as it starts to dry, which is pretty much immediately after application.
I will note here: any piece that had existing damage or lost to the silver trim lost a bit more silver in the polishing process. The pieces in excellent condition have no obvious loss. I left the trim on one lidded candy dish unpolished due to the sorry state of the silver trim. Polishing it might have removed more silver than it would leave.
I think I had committed to a lifetime collection of dingy and dark tarnished trim. I am elated to be mistaken. Putting the argument of vintage patina aside, I would much rather use and celebrate this collection as it was made and meant to be used than treat it like museum pieces.
The wax is indicated for slowing the tarnishing process not halting it, so I do not know how long this shine will last, but I will invest in the wait to learn.
wexford: a study 