Integrated Polishing System Symptoms
- White surface turns warmer or yellower
- Edges lose bright white appearance
- Uneven colour appears after polishing
Troubleshooting
White gold rhodium/platinum-group plating risk
White gold may have rhodium or platinum-group plating; polishing can expose a warmer base colour.
Likely causes
- Rhodium or platinum-group plating was present
- The coating was thin or worn at high points
- The coating status was not checked before polishing
Checks
- Ask whether the item was rhodium plated
- Inspect high points and inside surfaces
- Compare colour before and after a local test
Recommended fixes
- Stop polishing if colour changes
- Recommend replating where appropriate
- Document the coating risk for the client
Prevention
- Treat unknown white gold as likely plated
- Test first and warn the client
- Avoid aggressive compounds on unknown coatings
Warning for plated or coated surfaces
Coated surfaces may include electroplating, flash plating, PVD/CVD coatings, lacquers and other decorative or protective layers. Mechanical polishing may thin, remove, discolor, detach or otherwise damage such coatings. Do not polish coated surfaces unless the coating type, thickness and repair strategy are understood and tested.