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Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips |
2013-02-07, 7:38am
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Cleaning copper
I made a double link copper chain a while ago and would like to now use it in a project, is there a solution I can dip it in to clean it up.
Thanks:
Bob
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2013-02-07, 8:07am
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I was just watching a you tube video on copper etching and one of the comments was to clean it with soy sauce. The guy said it works wonders and makes it shine right up. I have not tried it yet.
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Cynthia
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2013-02-07, 8:13am
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Lampworkaholic!
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2013-02-07, 8:23am
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Mmmm....soy sauce and pickle. Sounds good LOL!
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Cynthia
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2013-02-07, 8:31am
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Loving learning
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I pickled a copper leaf I made, but it came out clean but dull, so now I have to shine it up. Or did I do something wrong?
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2013-02-07, 8:33am
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That is what salt and vinegar does too. It cleans it but leaves it very dull.
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Cynthia
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2013-02-07, 8:33am
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Know-it-all Megalomaniac
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Ketchup.
Just put a big glob on the chain, and leave it for a few
minutes.
I've also used lemon juice and a spoonful of salt in a pinch.
Both work great, and are easily disposed of afterwards.
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2013-02-07, 8:46am
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Loving learning
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I decided to go try the little bitty circular brush in my dremel on the leaf to try polishing it, and can't find the tool to change the blades... grrrrr!!!
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2013-02-07, 9:02am
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Valparaíso - Chile
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Red wine vinegar, which you use in the kitchen.
Heat the copper piece and the vinegar acts faster.
You should leave the piece of copper in the vinegar.
Then polish it in the dremel
Ana María
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@cristallo_perle
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2013-02-07, 9:05am
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If you can tumble it, the dremel tool won't get between the links.
I have used CLR in the past and it does ok for a mat finish.
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2013-02-07, 9:16am
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I was also wondering about trying the PH Down from the pool supply area that I used to clean my glass. Isn't that more or less "pickle"?
(found my little wrench & wire brushed my leaf, and I can see how it would be tough to use on a chain)
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2013-02-07, 9:24am
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If you have firescale on the copper from soldering I would pickle it but if it is just oxidation and you are looking for a shiny surface I would tumble it with stainless steel shot and a little bit of dish detergent (or burninshing compound). I personally like the antiqued look you get with tumbling where the oxidation is left behind in the recessed areas that the stainless shot couldn't get to.
Tina
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2013-02-07, 9:27am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eileen
I was also wondering about trying the PH Down from the pool supply area that I used to clean my glass. Isn't that more or less "pickle"?
(found my little wrench & wire brushed my leaf, and I can see how it would be tough to use on a chain)
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I believe it is similar (or the same thing?) to the 'sparex' pickle which is safer than diluted sulfuric acid. And yes, I personally would not want to try using a dremel attachment to clean a chain, I expect it would be fairly dangerous too since I know you are not supposed to polish chains on the big polishing wheels.
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2013-02-07, 9:37am
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Ass-kicking Cephalopod
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Citric acid powder mixed in a little water is the easiest thing I have ever used to clean copper.
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2013-02-07, 9:38am
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use a brass brush & liquid hand soap if the copper is matte when it comes out of the pickle.
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2013-02-07, 11:12am
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Thanks for all the great info.
Bob
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2013-02-07, 2:28pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elizabeth Beads
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Hi Elizabeth, That pickle looks interesting. Do you make up the 1.2 gallons all at once or make small batches as needed. Also once you made it up is it reusable or do you dump it after every use.
Thanks:
Bob
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2013-02-07, 4:18pm
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Second ketchup!
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2013-02-07, 4:52pm
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Brasso!!!!
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2013-02-07, 4:57pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LemonwoodStudio
Second ketchup!
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I am going to have to try ketchup.
Bob
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2013-02-07, 5:25pm
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Wonder-wench
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ketchup (vinegar base with other flavor added), citric acid, lemon juice and vinegar (any kind, red, white, etc) all should work as they are all mild acids. and most people already have one or more of these items in their kitchens
metal pickle should also work, Ph down, Picklean or whatever other metal pickle you might have on hand.
all the liquid solutions will get into the cracks, crevices, etc.
Dremel = please, noooo. Visions of chain whipping around at eye/hair level!
tumbling works great, but as mentioned will not get into the crevices or inside diameter of links well.
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2013-02-07, 5:36pm
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I wonder how coca cola would work.
Bob
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2013-02-07, 5:42pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bob
Hi Elizabeth, That pickle looks interesting. Do you make up the 1.2 gallons all at once or make small batches as needed. Also once you made it up is it reusable or do you dump it after every use.
Thanks:
Bob
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I make about 1 quart at a time. It is reusable. It will turn blue from the copper. When it gets pretty saturated blue I neutralize with a little baking soda and toss.
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2013-02-08, 5:17am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elizabeth Beads
I make about 1 quart at a time. It is reusable. It will turn blue from the copper. When it gets pretty saturated blue I neutralize with a little baking soda and toss.
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Thank you, that helps.
Bob
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2013-02-08, 6:48am
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Feminist Killjoy
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I find that the very best and easiest way to clean copper chain is by using a fine grade steel wool and a bit of liquid soap. Takes about 5 seconds to run it down the length of the chain a few times.
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2013-02-12, 10:29am
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Thanks again everyone, I used Karen's ketchup Idea and it worked great.
Bob
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2013-02-13, 10:22am
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i'm not dave
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i have a copper counter. mayo surprisingly does a great job, ditto pickle juice, diluted bar keepers friend (the usual cleaner), any citrus fruit juice, poss toothpaste-i know that cleans my silver. terry
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2013-02-15, 9:30pm
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Member
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I use hydrochloric acid, also sold as muriatic acid. I bought a jug of it and diluted it in water, pour acid into water ONLY, do not pour water into acid. It cleans away everything, I use it to clean my copper anode when I'm electroplating. It is super caustic, so I glove up with nitrile gloves to use it.
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