I have a heavily tarnished copper canister,what is the strongest cleaner for copper?

Question

This is a old copper fire extingisher with a heavy greenish tarnish, need to clean this off without damage to the original copper finish.

Answer 1

For copper I have always used Brasso. It does a good job, but it you want to get serious, get a soft cloth buffing wheel and some jeweler's rouge, the finest grind (which is white in color) and load the buffing wheel up with rouge and go over the item and it will glow like a million dollars.

Answer 2

You will want to clean it with an Acid. The strongest cleaner for Copper is Muriatic Acid. You need a reducing agent here, in other words you want to reduce the copper from its oxidized state which is the dark tarnish.

I would take and mix about 1/4 cup of Muriatic Acid to a half pail of water, (add the water first) then take a brush and apply the mix. The bright copper will almost immediately appear and the oxide disappear.

Next, get some fine Polishing Compound, Walmart sells that stuff in Auto Dept. and using that compound on a rag, polish that copper to a bright luster. The finer its polish , the longer it stays before oxidization will occur.

You can give the final polished copper a coat of clear wax to maintain its luster. Do not use a Poly base wax, those oxidize over a period of time and are difficult to remove.

Answer 3

The best thing I have come across so far for tarnish is toothpaste. Works great on silver, but since tarnish is tarnish I would assume that it should be just as good on copper as silver. Just gently rub it on and rinse it off.

Answer 4

I have two for you. You will probably think I've gone nuts but it really works. 1. put baking powder on a wet cloth and scrub the cannister, you may have to do this several times. 2- a wet Brillo pad, I know it seems that it would leave scratches on the cannister but it doesn't. Good luck

Answer 5

Brasso will work. You do not want anything with an abrasive in it. I hope I spelled Brasso rigght, I have not bought any in years.

Answer 6

KETCHUP works great..light abrasive wont harm pots/pans, items.

Answer 7

Vinegar works great -- So does human urine

Answer 8

vinegar will work too