Cleaning Copper
 

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

Any HCl solution will dissolve copper oxides and other verdegris without
touching the metal (being a noble metal). Muriatic acid cut 1:3 will do it
just fine. Mind to rinse it very well (first with a mild baking soda
solution) and wear protection because HCl is a strong mineral acid.

Instead of vinegar + lemon juice, you should try vinegar concentrated with
salt. Leave it in for a few days to a week (make sure to fully submerge
it!) and it's good as new.

Beware of bimetallic things like pots and pans with copper bottoms, the
stainless will corrode away with HCl and probably cause electrolytic
corrosion in the sour salt solution.

Tim

--
"California is the breakfast state: fruits, nuts and flakes."
Website: http://webpages.charter.net/dawill/tmoranwms

"Two and a Half" wrote in message
...
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

"Two and a Half" wrote in message
...
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


Along with Tim's excellent advice, one can clean copper with dilute sulfuric
acid as well. It, too, dissolves oxides of copper, but not the copper
itself. Great care must be used so you don't destroy things with the acid.
It's not as forgiving as HCL. Only copper can be inserted, not brass, or
anything ferrous.

Harold

On Sat, 28 May 2005 17:31:43 +0100, "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

The advice you've gotten is good, but let me add one bit of caution
about hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid).

If you store it indoors, even in a sealed plastic jug it will cause
severe rusting of all steel and iron in the vicinity.

I set my jugs of muriatic acid into a plastic bucket kept outdoors. To
keep out the rain and dirt, I cover all that with a larger bucket,
turned upside down.

Besides the storage issues, there are a whole bunch of safety
precautions you must use when handling any strong acid. If you're not
familiar with them, ask for help from someone that is.

Best regards,

Orrin

"Orrin Iseminger" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 28 May 2005 17:31:43 +0100, "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

The advice you've gotten is good, but let me add one bit of caution
about hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid).

If you store it indoors, even in a sealed plastic jug it will cause
severe rusting of all steel and iron in the vicinity.

I set my jugs of muriatic acid into a plastic bucket kept outdoors. To
keep out the rain and dirt, I cover all that with a larger bucket,
turned upside down.

Besides the storage issues, there are a whole bunch of safety
precautions you must use when handling any strong acid. If you're not
familiar with them, ask for help from someone that is.

Best regards,

Orrin


Yep!

Harold

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.

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

Harold and Susan Vordos wrote:

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

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

--
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

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
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----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

On Sat, 28 May 2005 17:31:43 +0100, "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

Household products (Wal-Mart, aka ASDA in the UK):
Twinkle
Brasso

Auto Store or possibly B&Q:
Flitz
Mother's metal polish
Simichrome

"lionslair at consolidated dot net" "lionslair at consolidated dot net"
wrote in message ...
Harold and Susan Vordos wrote:

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

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

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
...

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

"Two and a Half" wrote in message
...
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



I have to ask why you are removing the patina on an outdoor sculpture? Most
people like it and want it. Keeping it shiny over the years will be a lot of
work.

Lane

Harold and Susan Vordos wrote:

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

Harold and Susan Vordos wrote:


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


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


I understand Harold - two with one blow - finger prints and brass work. :-)
If brass is really bad, green pad, then acid clean, then Brasso polish.

There is another polish - sold in Autopart stores - Al polish - I highly suspect
it is diatamatious(sp) earth in a wax. Great polish for most every thing...

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

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

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

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

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

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----