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Q&As since 1989


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Turning metals different colors other than green

Hi! I was wondering if you knew if you could turn pennies different colors other green with vinegar [in bulk on eBay or Amazon]. Would using concentrated chile pepper or something like that turn it red? I do not want to know how to clean a penny, I have already read how to do that on your website. Also, do you know how to remove the copper plating on pennies using batteries and electricity? Thank You sooooo much!

Ann P.
student - Birmingham, Alabama of America
2003

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2003

I'd try flame rather than vinegar to get other colors on pennies.

You can try to remove the copper from a penny using batteries and electricity by following our FAQ and simply connecting the penny to the positive pole of the battery instead of the negative. In theory, the copper would plate off the penny, go into solution, and plate onto whatever you connected to the negative pole of the battery. In actuality though, as soon as any zinc is exposed it will go into solution preferentially to the copper, so this operation will not go as well as you would like.

You can try to remove the copper from a penny using batteries and electricity by following our FAQ and simply connecting the penny to the positive pole of the battery instead of the negative. In theory, the copper would plate off the penny, go into solution, and plate onto whatever you connected to the negative pole of the battery. In actuality though, as soon as any zinc is exposed it will go into solution preferentially to the copper, so this operation will not go as well as you would like. Sandpaper is a better way to get the copper off :-)

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

Hi! As a follow up to my previous question, what type of flame should I use to turn pennies different colors. Would just a match work or do you need another hotter and stronger kind of flame like a Bunsen burner? Thank you for the previous information, it was very helpful.

Ann P
student - Birmingham, Alabama of America
2003

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This is explained, and several photos are available, on letter 2662.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003

Hi!

I did what you told me to and tried to change the color of a penny using matches. When I held the match up to a bright new penny, it changed it slightly more yellowish orange. When I picked the penny up to examine it, it had a liquid on it. It felt kind of like water but a little bit thicker, but it had a very chemically smell. Do you know what that chemical is or why it is there?

Thank you!

Ann P.
student - Birmingham, Alabama, US
2003

Hi!

I was wondering what chemical is produced when you burn a penny with matches. The penny also turned more yellow. Why? Also, is there another type of flame that would work better on pennies or say copper wire.

Thank You!

James H.
student - Birmingham, Alabama
2003