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NICKEL PLATING & KILNER JAR RINGS - by Myke Duncan Please click the pictures for a better image |
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Original Rings with age and rust |
Original Rings with age and rust |
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As an allotment holder, I'm slowly building up the capacity to store produce during glut years, and for several months before use. Correct and safe storage requires good equipment, and in Britain that was synonymous with 'Kilner Jars'. The jars and rings I prefer are 'Kilner Jars' from pre-1940 jars to 1970's jars. Bought second hand, their metal screw ring's conditions can vary from completely rusted over, to moderately tarnished. If there is any loose rust then that is gently rubbed off, and the rings soaked overnight in a citric acid based solution (Caswell SD-COMSCALE 650), that cleans/converts the rust, leaving the metal rings undamaged. Next the rings are scrubbed clean with kitchen cleaners, including 'Brillo' pads (which are great as they double up as fine wire wool for cleaning'). Any rings left with previous plating and/or passivated surfaces are further soaked in a caustic soda based solution (Caswell SD-Anodise and Chrome Stripper) to strip/clean them up, before being rinsed off again.
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Rings cleaned and de-rusted |
Rings cleaned and de-rusted |
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Finally the rings are 'pickled' to etch and/or activate their surfaces, and plated with a Bright Nickel (Caswell Regular Bright Nickel) finish to at least 1/1000th of an inch to ensure longevity against future corrosion risks.
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Re-plated rings - 1 |
Re-plated rings - 2 |
Re-plated rings - 3 |
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Depending on the rings original condition, they can occasionally end up with a dull pitted surface or more commonly a highly polished looking finish. |
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Re-plated rings - 4 |
Re-plated rings - 5 |
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After some early learning on the job the final results have been spectacular. The key it seems is all in the preparation. Clean the item up and prepare it properly, and you will get the best finish. |
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Finished Jars-1
Left hand jar most likely pre-WW2 and of 'Original' type. The right hand jar a '1960's style jar |
Finished Jars-2
Two more jars, on the left a post WW2 'Improved' type, and on the right a later 'Dual Purpose' style jar |
Finished Jars-3
An Improved & Original jar with preserved tomatoes from summer 2009. These are still very edible, making very tasty soups/sauces etc. |
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Caswell Europe LLP. wishes to thank MD for permission to use his words and pictures in this web page. |
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