This section is from the book "The English And American Mechanic", by B. Frank Van Cleve. Also available from Amazon: The English And American Mechanic.
Mix 1 part of chloride of silver with 3 parts of pearlash,1½ parts common salt, and 1 part whiting; and well rub the mixture on the surface of brass or copper, (previously well cleaned,) by means of a piece of soft leather, or a cork moistened with water, and dipped in the powder. When properly silvered, the metal should be well washed in hot water, slightly alkalized, then wiped dry.
Saltpetre, 6 oz..: green copperas, 2 oz.; white vitriol and alum, of each, 1 oz. If wanted redder, a small quantity of blue vitriol must be added.
Saltpetre, 1 oz. 10 dwts.; sal ammoniac, 1 oz. 4 dwts.; Roman vitriol, 1 oz. 4 dwts.; verdigris, 18 dwts.
To 4 oz. melted yellow wax, add, in fine powder, 1½ oz. of red ochre; 1½ oz. verdigris, calcined till it yields no fumes; and ½ oz. of calcined borax. Mix them well together. Dissolve either of above mixtures in water, as the color is wanted, and use as required.
 
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