How to age new Silvers pad?

[Copper John]

I’m sure this has been discussed here before but I can’t find it.. wondering how to age a silvers pad?

[Dean Romig]

I've seen it said to wipe it down liberally with Vaseline and hit it very judiciously with a blow torch but be careful...!! It can easily get away from you.

You might want to first take off any sharp edges and feathers with fine sandpaper like 400 grit.





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[B. Dudley]

Use it. You would be surprised how quickly it will darken up and tone down.

Or Kevin KcCormack can tell you about a method that involves setting it on fire or something.

[OH Osthaus]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

Use it. You would be surprised how quickly it will darken up and tone down.

yeah - i was going to say take it duck hunting - nothing is new after it's first trip

[Randy Roberts]

Rubbing coffee grinds on it will help to darken it somewhat.

[Harold Pickens]

I think I'd try coffee grounds before a blow torch, but would probably just let it age gracefully

[Victor Wasylyna]

John:

I’d be happy to offer you a substantial discount on my Parker aging service.

What more?

The higher the grade of your Parker, the lower my fee.

But wait! There’s more!

For each additional year I provide you with my Parker aging service, I take an additional 50 percent off my fee.

Act now!

-Victor

[Craig Larter]

I take a used barrel cleaning patch and rub it into the pad, it's basically carbon black and gives a nice as used appearance. Bottom pad is treated the top pad is a Silvers original to the gun circa 1925.

[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!