For cleaning large pieces of copper the cheapest is to use battery
acid. Other wise known as sulfuric acid. You can buy a box of it from
any auto parts store for about $5. You need to dilute to a 1 part acid
and 9 parts water. Always add the acid to the water. So the little box
will make about 2 gallons. You can use a spray bottle and spray the
mixture on the copper. Let it sit for about 10 minutes and rinse. Use a
scotchbrite pad if needed for heavy deposits. Wear goggles and rubber
gloves. If you get any on your clothes it will make holes. If available
you can mix up in a 5 gallon plastic bucket and let the parts soak.
If smaller pieces you can buy a little bottle of TarnX. More than the
whole box of acid.

lionslair at consolidated dot net wrote:
Two and a Half wrote:

Thanks for all your suggestions.

I have found that Brasso is fine for some of the small pieces and works
really well, but some of the copper I have are in the form of sculptures and
are left outside and the normal green patination occurs.... brasso is fine
to remove this on a small piece but on a larger one I would be there till
kingdom come. I reckon that I will have to go for the drastic route and get
some acid solution with the appropriate protective gear.

Thanks for all your help.

Craig




"Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message
...

"lionslair at consolidated dot net" "lionslair at consolidated dot net"
wrote in message ...

Harold and Susan Vordos wrote:


"Fred R" "spam wrote in message
m...


Two and a Half wrote:


Hi

I am in need of some advice for cleaning copper. I have used a

vinegar

and


lemon juice solution but it seems to leave a slight discolouration on

the


copper and as well as smelling a bit rank it still requires some

removal

of


the surface debris by hand. I have heard that hydrochloric acid is a

better


solution to use but I have no idea what percentage strength it would

have to


be or if there are any other better solutions available to buy and/or

mix.


Any advice would be appreciated

Craig
www.twoandahalf.co.uk




At the risk of stating either the obvious or the inappropriate: there
are a number of copper-cleaning compounds sold for kitchen pots and
pans. No safety issues, rinse off easily. Cost more than mixing your

own

but are quick, risk-free and easy.

Don't know about you but I often find myself reinventing wheels, then
kicking myself for the lost time.

--
Fred R
________________
Drop TROU to email.


I can't help but agree, but the acid process can be more aggressive

for

those cases where the chore at hand is extreme. For instance, you

can

clean beryllium copper after heat treat and have it look great.

That's

assuming you don't have a controlled atmosphere furnace at your

disposal,

and I don't. After silver soldering, too.

Harold

Harold



How about Brasso - used by every service person for years on their

brass.

Sold where good food is.

Martin

--

Chuckle!

Brasso? I spent 6 years of my life with Brasso, polising my brass while
in the Utah National Guard. Acid works much easier! g

Harold





Trying to take the magic color off ? hum.

Martin

--
Martin Eastburn
@ home at Lion's Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net
NRA LOH, NRA Life
NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder

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