Metal Polish Guide: Shine On

Metal Polish Myths: Things you should Know

There are more myths out there than there are different types of metal polish. I'll give you the straight story and informationthat some people don't want you to know. Here is a list of some of the more common myths. If you know of a good one, send it in and I'll give you the lowdown.

Myth #1: All polish is the same.
Myth #2: Rapid acting liquid polishes are not as good as pastes.
Myth #3: All polished finishes have the same endurance.
Myth #4: All polished surfaces should be waxed or laquered if you want it to really last.
Myth #5: All metal polishes can be used on items subjected to heat.
Myth #6: Green or White rouge is the same as jewelers rouge.

Green rouge and white rouge are similar to jewelers rouge.

Jewelers rouge is red! There is no such thing as green or white rouge.

Many manufacturers in the industry don't appreciate this, they call anything in a bar jeweler's rouge - but 'rouge' is French for 'red'. jeweler's rouge is red because it contains ferric oxide. If it doesn't contain ferric oxide, it's not rouge.

Jeweler's rouge was developed not just because of how fine it can be, but also because it stains the gold and gives it a sunny glow. Green and white rouge, as many people call them, are abrasive compounds, which are in most cases way too coarse to be used on gold or anything else of value. If you offered them to a jeweler as rouge, he would laugh at you.

Good quality jeweler's rouge is three times the price of any other compound. There are some abrasives which are as fine as jeweler's rouge and finer. They don't act like rouge on gold and silver but they will give an excellent shine.

If you are going to polish silver flatware, be sure to use a polish that is non-toxic.