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Cleaning copper sheet metal sculptures without darkening

I need to clean/prep fairly complex (many cuts and angles) copper sheet metal (24 gauge)sculptures to allow them to be coated with lacquers and/or patina. Sandblasting with sand has produced a terrible looking, very dark, brown finish. I am trying to end up with a clean, copper colored finish. I was wondering if a milder abrasive like walnut shell media ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] or glass beads might work better.

Mark Malizia
artist/designer - Ft. Pierce, Florida, U.S.A.
2003

2003

Hi, Mark.

Yes, a milder abrasive should be an improvement, but a plating shop could process the parts in a sulfuric acid-hydrogen peroxide copper "bright dip" and give them the color you seek.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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