Letter 779c

Remove tarnish on pennies, copper

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How can you remove tarnish from a penny without it coming back

Michelle
- Boston, MA

Hi Michelle,

If there was a really good way to keep pennies from tarnishing, don't you suppose the U.S. Mint doesn't do it in the first place? :-)

If the penny is not going to be in circulation though, you can clean it with copper polish, and then apply a Brass Lacquer [link is to product info at Rockler]. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, NJ

i'm a eighth grader who is doing a project on tarnishing and cleaning of silver and copper. Could u please give me information? I have found almost nothing on it. Thank u. Maddie

maddie
- new providence, nj

Maddie,

Maybe you could try cleaning the silver and copper with a toothbrush and toothpaste? You could also try a very fine wet sandpaper (very tiny sand particles), but you might wear all the way through the copper if you overdo it. Then try waxing it either with wax from a candle or with car wax.

The toothbrush and toothpaste, or sandpaper, are an abrasive and will scratch the tarnish off, leaving bare copper. Then the wax will keep air and water from reaching the copper so it doesn't tarnish again. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, NJ

; it will tell you everyhing you need to know!