Before starting the silvering process check the surface of the wax which may now be a bit dull because of the grain- ing process. If this is the case gentle heating, just enough to melt the wax will bring back a nice shiny finish. Now to silvering. Some dial finishers rub the surface of the dial with damp salt to prepare it better for receiving the silvering compound. If you do this make sure the dial is scrupulously clean both back and front by washing in cold water and drying with a soft cloth. DO NOT SCRATCH THE SURFACE. Take a damp cloth or piece of cotton wool and dip it into the silvering powder. Using a circular motion apply the powder to the surface of the dial Use copious amounts and work it into the dial using a light pressure. I suggest you hold the dial over a plastic dish or bucket to catch the excess powder as this can be reused. You will now start to see what you have worked so hard to achieve, the sur- face will take on a silver finish as if by magic. When you have finished the whole dial you need to wash it in cold wa- ter to remove anything that may have been left on the surface such as lint from the cloth or fragments of silvering powder. You can now apply the finishing powder using the same method used for applying the silvering powder. The silver will now become much brighter and this is the finish you will end up with. If there are any imperfections they may look worse or they may be hidden but one thing for sure the dial is better now than before you started. You can now lacquer the surface to protect it from tarnishing or leave it as it is. We started out suggesting you try your skills on a sample piece of scrap brass and ended up calling it a dial. Whatever path you ultimately chose the rewards are just as great.
