Copper

What do you use to clean up coppper. I have a hearth surround and don't know if it is copper or brass. I have tried brasso and it didn't work so I am assuming it is copper. Any suggestions please.

For one minute there I thought you'd got done for speeding again!

I was told once rub with lemon halves dipped in salt for tarnishes!

I once saw a Martha Stewart's tv program where they were cleaning copper pots with tomato ketchup, I am sure watties tomato sauce would do the same trick. If you try it let us know.....have not tried it as I have no copper pots.

has it been coated in some plastic/teflon, so that you cant clean it but a bad enuf job that it lets it be tarnished??

quote:Originally posted by beedee

has it been coated in some plastic/teflon, so that you cant clean it but a bad enuf job that it lets it be tarnished??

I'm not sure beedee, it is an old hearth surround that I found in the old house on the other block and thought if it cleaned up ok I might list it on TM. It looks quite dull.

Many of the sheet type copper products have been coated with a laquer to make them look "antiqued" and won't polish up easily. The lemon & salt trick works because the lemon acid reacts with the salt to produce hydrochloric acid which is much stronger and cleans up copper & brass beaut - but not if they are coated!

Toni,

As per powerguy, plus vinegar should do the trick if it is not coated.

thanks for that Powerguy, I have a big water tank that is copper and so it will be a big job cleaning that to a polished state, but I have a huge lemon tree and 20 kg of salt so we should have enuf ingredients.. I do hope it just works its magic and no elbow grease is required.. I am very short on that.. and cant find any in the local supermarket;)

Thanks all, will try those things.

I don't know what you call it here, but T-cut the product you use for polishing heavily tarnished car paint work, worked a treat in the UK, have polished up lost of copper with it.

quote:Originally posted by beedee

thanks for that Powerguy, I have a big water tank that is copper and so it will be a big job cleaning that to a polished state, but I have a huge lemon tree and 20 kg of salt so we should have enuf ingredients.. I do hope it just works its magic and no elbow grease is required.. I am very short on that.. and cant find any in the local supermarket;)

Wait a few months before you want a cuppa (unless it is only the outside you intend to shine)