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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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How to brighten and restore copper ornamental roof dome
Q. Hello. Recently I signed on to restore a huge copper dome ornament on the top of a very old building on Milwaukee's east side. It is very tarnished with the green patina, and I am trying to find a way to not only clean it all off, but make it shine to its full potential. I've been told everything from cola and seltzer water to ammonia. Would sandpaper ruin it's finish? Thanks.
Adam n [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]restoration artist - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2004
A. Forget sandpaper. You can use next two solution systems:
Solution A: 250 gm ammonium carbonate/1 lit water; it removes dust, dirt and mineral layers.
Solution B: 1-2 % sulfuric acid; it removes corrosion products. Rinse well and carefully!
Good luck!
Goran Budijametals conservator - Zagreb, Croatia
2004
A. For the copper roof, I would have reached for a mild citric acid ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] solution and some soap and water. Sure it's slow, but I think in this situation slow would be preferable.
Marc Banksblacksmith - Melbourne, Florida
July 29, 2008
A. Hi. On the copper roof, the only way to get all the green off is scotchbrite pad ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] w/water and Barkeepers Friend ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . This will take a lot of elbow grease.
But don't use sulfuric acid on it. I work for Circle City Copperworks. liver of sulfur ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and water is what we use to patina copper with. So sulfuric acid would end up adding another patina on top of the green, which could lift the green off, but it would mute the copper; so you would have to sand w/scotchbrite to make it shine and get the right color.
MATT PASSWATER, Coppersmith- INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
December 14, 2008
August 25, 2012
Hi. I'm sure that Matt is correct about the things he works with and is familiar with, like Scotchbrite, Barkeepers Friend , and Liver of sulfur.
But sulfuric acid has very little in common with liver of sulfur, and I'm very confident of Goran's judgement on that one.
For a number of other ideas on this, please see letter 31806, "Cleaning copper roofs".
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
May 29, 2008
Q. Greetings,
I am a member of Daughters of The American Revolution.
I have a beautiful 24x28 approx. plaque that since 1909 has been outside near the sea, installed in a granite monument. The piece looks like mostly copper, but in a test spot could be made with an alloy (likely tin?) as is rusts over quickly at bare metal.
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hobbyist - Maine |
A. I would suggest getting in contact with the Smithsonian for the plaque. Or finding a local college with an archeology department and query them on the restoration of the plaque, they will probably be able to recommend someone well qualified to bring it back to life. I would avoid doing it yourself due to the possible historical value.
Marc BanksBlacksmith - Melbourne, Florida
July 29, 2008
Q. I have a large and rather expensive outdoor fountain sculpted from sheet copper. It has been out of use and left in our back yard in a coastal (ocean) climate and is now highly oxidized with teal colored rust. Unfortunately, the company from whom I purchased the fountain a number of years ago is now out of business. What is available for consumer purchase/use to remove the corrosion and restore the original bright copper finish?
Dave Mastropieri- Santa Maria, California, USA
2003
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