Cleaning copper?

[Ken_CT]

[FONT=&quot]I have an old copper watering can that my father made that is very tarnished (see attached). I would like to clean it up and make the copper shiny, but I am having a lot of trouble with it. I tried Brasso, Noxon, and a couple of no-name copper cleaners, but non seem to work well at all. Steel wool seems to work best but it scratches the finish. I could probably start with coarse and work my way to very fine, but that is going to be very time consuming, as there are a lot of nooks and crannies on the piece. I was wondering if anyone has any tips for cleaning heavily tarnished copper. Has anyone tried muriatic acid? Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ken[/FONT]

 

[kennyd]

This may be just good advertising, but it used to be on TV commercials all the time...no personal experience though.
Tarn X
http://www.jelmar.com/TarnXGroup.asp?p=TarnXbasic

 

[Kioti3054]

Try ZUDS its like Comet it comes in a yellow can we use it all the time to clean old brass and copper fire extinguishers. It shines them like new.

 

[Ken_CT]

I went out and bought a can of Zuds. It wouldn't touch the tarnish, even using an abrasive pad. Brasso, Noxon, even a strong solution of tsp doesn't cut it. I'm going to try a weak solution of muriatic acid next. I know it is used to give copper a patina, but that's if it's not washed off. I have used a buffing wheel and rouge on other pieces with good results, but this piece is too irregular in shape for a buffing wheel. Any other thoughts?

Ken

 

[Marine1]

I have always heard you could clean copper by soaking it overnight in Coke a Cola. I have never tried it but it seems that everyone thinks it works. Just a thought.

 

[terbear1963]

Have you thought about using salt and lemon juice? Sprinkle with salt and then use cut side of lemon and rub then rinse. This would be natural cleaning products. Bet your wife might use this remedy on any copper bottom pots in the kitchen. You can also use vinegar instead of the lemon juice, But by using a cut lemon half then you would be using the lemon for the scrubber. Might take several lemons but it sure would smell good.!!!

 

[Michael_E_Tx]

Personally, I don't think there is any effective method of cleaning an object such as your father's watering can that is not labor intensive. I have restored the surface of several items like this in the past. Your idea about different grades of steel wool is not bad. If you can polish the surface with 0000 steel wool, what scratchs remain can easily be taken out with polish.

I have had better luck with different grades of wet/dry sandpaper, used wet. Perhaps start with 320 and work up to 1200 or so. Detail that cannot be effectively sanded, can be cleaned with a dremel tool and rouge or even a tiny flap sanding attachment. Since it has personal significance as a family piece, think of it as a labor of love. You'll only have to do it once.

Looks like a nice watering can to me.

Mike

 

[jinman]

It probably contains muriatic acid, but the stuff HVAC guys use to clean air conditioner coils will probably work. It won't leave a shine though. For that you need a couple of Seaman Dueces having to do extra duty after Captains Mast. At least that's the way it used to work in the U.S. Navy.

 

[dbdartman]

For that you need a couple of Seaman Dueces having to do extra duty after Captains Mast. At least that's the way it used to work in the U.S. Navy.

Worked the same way in the Coast Guard, my friend!