How to age new Silvers pad?

[Bruce P Bruner]

John, you can darken it a variety of ways. Personally I would just use it. Sometimes we wish we could do something to change the appearance of our treasures. Time and use are the only variables that are going to make that Silver pad age. When I purchased this 1887 LC I immediately ordered a brand new Silver's pad from across the pond. It's still in it's packaging. Your new pad may look similar to this one in 135 years, just in case you are late to the party.

[TOOL MAN]

I add a few drops of used motor oil to my wife's coffee grinds and hand rub it into the pad. Then I leave it on a sun-drenched windowsill for at least a week. It'll get rid of that garish, Howard Johnson's orange and should be good for at least 3-5,000 miles!

[B. Dudley]

Here are two identical silvers pads. One is newly fitted, the other has about 2 years of normal use.