Letter 7730

Brightening a dull copper platter 

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I recently acquired a hammered copper platter (grapes), that was made in England. The Platter has been painted, or treated,with a patina (spelling?)green substance. The appearance of the platter is quite dull and I have tried to polish it with a copper and brass substance, with no good results. Must I use a paint remover or what would you suggest?

Eve Andersen
- Tallahassee, FL., U.S.

If it is a true patina, why take it off. People go to great lengths to get a good patina on copper. If it is paint, that is another matter.

If you would like to keep the patina and just brighten it up, try Dorlands Wax Medium. You can get this at any art supply store. You can sit your platter out in the sun for a few minutes to heat it up, then use small flat brush to (paint) on the wax. It will melt right on. Then set the peice inside for a while to cool off. The next step takes a little elbow grease. Using a clean soft cloth, burnish in the wax (buff). It might take two coats. This will give the piece a nice warm glow.

Jay Bouster
- Kansas City, MO

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