Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


-----

Copper firepit

My firepit was originally a beautiful copper. Over the last year it is black and tarnished. I tried Brasso [on eBay or Amazon] and it didn't do a thing for it. do I need to sand it? Tell me your suggestion please.

Gary Darling
IATSE Local 500 - Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
2005

---

2005

It's possible you will need to go to a harsher abrasive than Brasso, but first you need to determine if the black on your copper is copper oxide or soot deposits from having fires.

I'm going to bet that it is soot, copper usually turns green when it oxidizes. I'm going to list a few quick and reasonably cheap ways to get rid of most deposits on your copper. The least harsh are at the top, the most at the bottom.

1. Use a diluted solution of citric acid [on eBay or Amazon] (5% I think)
2. Try a kitchen scrubby pad, one of the plastic ones.
3. #0000 steel wool [on eBay or Amazon] or very fine sandpaper with a good buffing afterwards
4. If you still haven't managed to find any copper at this
point I would suggest bringing in some outside help,
several companies deal in fire damage repair. They would
be able to assist you with further efforts, if you are determined however,
5. Muriatic acid, use this as a last resort. Dilute a
solution of 20% acid and 80% water, spray on and let sit.
Wipe down 10-20 min later and clean with lots of water.

** Caution **
Muriatic acid produces some very noxious and a few poisonous fumes. Take care to vent the area you're ,working in well and avoid coming into direct contact with the acid.

Marc Banks
Blacksmith - Shiloh, North Carolina