No registration or passwords; no pop-up ads -- just aloha, fun, & answers.
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate earns from qualifying purchases).
Home /
T.O.C.
Fun
FAQs
Good
Books
Ref.
Libr.
Advertise
 
Help
Wanted
Current
Q&A's
Site 🔍
Search
pub  Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989



-----

Question regarding copper paint on copper





I bought a huge copper pot at a flea market yesterday. The guy who sold it told me it is 90 years old. When I got it home and cleaned it up, using tips I got from your forum, I found that it is actually copper paint. The paint job is quite bad, with brush stokes and paint drips galore, but it seems to be real copper paint, if there is such a thing. The paint looks pretty old, and there are a couple of places where it has chipped away to reveal a black surface. I scrubbed at this black spot and I believe that it is copper. I used vinegar [in bulk on eBay or Amazon] and baking soda [on eBay or Amazon] and I can see a bit of a copper shine. Is there a safe way to remove the copper paint and reveal the copper underneath. Is it possible to clean up something this old, and bring it back to a thing of beauty or should I just leave the paint alone?

Crystal Rants
hobbyist - Hanau, Hessen, Germany
2005



2005

Certainly it is possible to formulate a copper paint, so that's what it could be. But there doesn't seem to be a real good reason to put copper paint on something that is already solid copper, so I don't think I'd trust my first impression without spending some time trying to prove it.

My GUESS would probably therefore be that it was copper plated steel and was discolored and rusted in spots, so he painted it copper color. So if you got the copper paint off (which can probably be done with fine 00 steel wool [on eBay or Amazon] and some kind of solvent like paint thinner), you might find a rusty finish that is only partially covered with attractive copper plating.

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



If it's solid copper, it won't attract a magnet. If it's steel, it will.

Bill Reynolds
Bill Reynolds [deceased]
consultant metallurgist - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
We sadly relate the news that Bill passed away on Jan. 29, 2010.

2005



September 3, 2009

If there is solid copper under the paint you could use mix of salt & lime juice to get back the shine of copper pot.

I also know of a powder that I bought in India which is very good works in seconds and very ease to use on copper.

The name of the powder is "Pitambari".

Hope this helps.

Meeta Allen
- Windsor, Ontario, Canada




(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories:

 
Jobshops
Capital
Equipment
Chemicals &
Consumables
Consult'g, Train'g
& Software


About/Contact  -  Privacy Policy  -  ©1995-2024 finishing.com, Pine Beach, New Jersey, USA  -  about "affil links"