how do i polish copper?

Answer 1

Copper objects and fixtures are often plated only with a very thin layer of copper and are often lacquered so they maintain a shine. As a result, you'll want to use the gentlest cleaning method possible so you don't rub through the plating or peel away the lacquer. Just go over lacquered copper with a cloth or sponge that's been dampened in a solution of mild detergent and warm water, then rinse and buff dry with a clean cloth.

Copper that hasn't been lacquered tends to tarnish and require more cleaning. You can use a commercial copper cleaner; a brand of cleaner that you simply rub off rather than wash off is handy for handles, locks, and other copper pieces that can't readily be rinsed or submersed. You can also use a paste made of equal parts of salt and flour moistened with white vinegar (leave it on until it dries) or lemon juice. Rinse with cold water, then polish with a soft cloth. If copper is unlacquered, you may want to spray or brush on two coats of a transparent metal lacquer to prevent tarnishing and make cleaning easier.

Answer 2

What to Use
Wright's Copper Cream ($2.75, 800-922-2625 for store locations) or Goddard's Brass & Copper Polish ($5, www.goddards.com).

What to Know
Some sources say to clean copper with lemon and salt, but it's best to stay away from these materials. The acidity of the lemon and the abrasiveness of the salt can ruin copper's finish. Use a commercial copper polish instead.

Useful Tips
Tarnish is difficult to remove when it has settled in hard-to-reach spots, such as the seam where a handle attaches to a pot. Paste polishes are likely to cake in those areas. To clean, use a Q-tip or a horse-hair brush. To remove caked-on paste, use rubbing alcohol.

Answer 3

Copper, the perfect complement to brass, and beautiful in its own right. I don't understand people who get gleaming pieces of copper and have it artificially aged! I want to polish it every time I see it - that green oxidization drives me crazy. If it's really bad I nuke the oxidization with a mild acid solution, again vinegar does a fine job. Being a relatively soft metal, polish with Curator's Blend to achieve the ultimate lustre. Museum blend is also good on copper but is better suited to brass, bronze, stainless steel, nickel and chromium.

Answer 4

You'd be surprised but the humble lemon is probably the best copper polish there is!! mildly acidic, it rmoves tarnish and stains just like that!!! I would recommend coating the article with some varnish aftr you have done to keep the shine, after all it's the moisture in the atmosphere that tarnishes copper/brass and other such metals!

Answer 5

Having grown up in a country where copper is mined, I would say my idea would be a cheap simple one. Use Tomato Ketchup. Apply ketchup with a soft cloth; rinse ketchup off, and polish with a soft cloth. This is for untreated copper. Or ........... you can use Brasso Copper Cleaner, also for untreated copper.

Answer 6

I use Wright's Copper Cream. You should be able to get it at a hardware store, or maybe even at a big grocery store with the cleaning supplies... Mine is a small tub with a red lid.

Answer 7

Brasso should work. It is available just about everywhere and it's cheap. just use it like car wax

Answer 8

use toothpaste - any brand. try it, good luck