I’m doing some copperwork (3/4″ pipe) in a wide gate I’m building. I usually give my (exposed) copper a light sanding with 150 grit to shine it up and allow it to start oxidizing faster, but I was wondering, what’s a good chemical or whatever that would clean the copper up without the sanding??
After cleaning we only touch the copper wearing gloves, for the fingerprints..
Skim-coating with joint compound covers texture, renews old drywall and plaster, and leaves smooth surfaces ready to paint.
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Replies
White vinegar works great.
How about for the markings (ink?) on the pipe?
I used a pot scrubber and white vinegar to remove flux....no flux and no markings.....pipes look so shiny, it's a shame to put a floor over them.....
Here's a pic of some similar copperwork we've done. You can see the light sanding cleans it right up.
Hey JoeCopper,
Great railing on that deck. Can you share more pics of your work? I live in the Maritimes, where there is almost no copper used anywhere except for pennies. I tried to source sheet copper for a birdhouse plan that I had, and went to a place called Metals 'R' Us...but they don't carry copper....the guy on the desk did not understand my confusion...
Happy Holidays.......Quinhead
Hey Quinhead,
Try C C MacDonald in Bayers Lake Park for copper.
Also check out the Halifax Minifest post in the fest folder
67141.1
On a hill by the harbour
Brasso has been around for years and works well. It is sold with cleaning products in good stores.
Tomato sauce works too. We used that in college to shine the bottom of Revere Ware pans.
Brasso, and also Never Dull, which i think if memory serves correct comes in a can as a large cotton wad. you just tear off a little piece (its like superfine steel wool) and rub it on the copper for a nice sanding and chemical shine all in one.
as a former marine we used this stuff to shine our brass, belt buckles etc. they made a big deal out of a lot of funny little things like that in the marines, shiny shoes, daily shave, weekly haircut.
Sounds like you are cleaning for an even oxidation vs. laquer or clear finish?
For even oxidation or pre plating, ferric chloride is what ive used for 38 years. Also use it for etching circuit boards.
Yep, it's the even oxidation I'm after. Tomato sauce, Never Dull, ferric oxide, hmm, I'll have to try them all out. Good suggestions!
Yet another inexpensive folk preparation that works very well is to cut a lemon in half, dip it in some Kosher (coarse) salt, and rub the salted surface of the lemon on the copper.