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Thread ID: 103324 2009-09-18 23:33:00 Cleaning Copper wainuitech (129) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
811662 2009-09-18 23:33:00 We have found this old Copper fire / coal bucket in the car port after a clean up that we want to polish up.

It is genuine copper. As per any old copper item , its very badly tarnished other wise in very good condition, no real dents.

We have tried several options located on Google -

Vinegar and Salt :waughh:
Salt, Vinegar, and Flour
Lemon and Salt
Cutting compound
Wire buffing wheel attached to drill

We dont really want to attack it with sand paper other wise it will scratch it to hell.

NOTHING is removing the tarnish - in the odd spot it came clean.

Anyone got any ideas or know what will work.

Dont mind using a bit of elbow grease :D

Last resort was a metal finishing place -- but no idea how much that would cost.

Ta Muchly
wainuitech (129)
811663 2009-09-18 23:37:00 Its stuffed. Metla (12)
811664 2009-09-18 23:44:00 Back when I was a coppersmith we used to immerse copper in a weak solution of Hydrchloric acid. About 5% from memory. Takes the tarnish off nicely. Sweep (90)
811665 2009-09-18 23:46:00 Hmmmm Hydrchloric acid -- can it be brought or better to take a professional service. wainuitech (129)
811666 2009-09-18 23:47:00 Hmmmm Hydrchloric acid -- can it be brought or better to take a professional service.

It's sold as "spirit of salts" at paint shops or hardware stores. Mitre10 used to sell it - not sure if they still do.
somebody (208)
811667 2009-09-18 23:51:00 Cool - I'll duck across to Mitre10 - its just down the road and ask.

When I used to work at railways years ago (coachbuilder) we had cleaning baths there, some damn powerful stuff. Like every thing - dont use certain skills, they get forgotten.

PS: THATS where that " get a bigger hammer" comes from in my sig :lol:
wainuitech (129)
811668 2009-09-18 23:59:00 You don't want concentrated Hydrochloric acid. A 5% to 7% solution will do the job. Use gloves while handling. Sweep (90)
811669 2009-09-19 00:03:00 A compound called deoxidine 626 is what I use to clean up tarnish on brass prefect (6291)
811670 2009-09-19 00:11:00 I think the metal brush would have buggered it.

I would have used Brasso with a polishing pad on drill,use it all the time.
Cicero (40)
811671 2009-09-19 00:19:00 A few years back (15) I got hold of an old copper out of the type of copper used as washing tubs....the ones where the copper was encased in concrete and a fire lit underneath. I took it to a metalsmith's place here in Dunedin and had them polish and put feet on it so that we could use it as a wood bin/bucket. They did an excellent job in "antiquing it" ie..polishing the copper and treating it so that it had an element of black in it. We were thrilled with the result...and I think it cost about $60-70 to get done. Get a quote: IMHO it would be worth it :) smurf (6545)
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