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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Removing fingerprints from a copper exhaust hood that are in the clear sealer

During house construction, we had a kitchen exhaust hood built to our specs by a copper smith not schooled in finishes. The shape and construction of the hood is fine; however, when applying the finish, i.e., a patina causing agent (which looks great), and a clear "sealer", he left fingerprints, handprints, before it dried, and cannot remove them. He has buffed it, but no success. We have decided to find someone else or do something our selves to solve the problem. Surely there is a solvent or something that can be applied to remove the sealer and/or the patina agent and/or take it back to the original copper or close to we can try again. Help!?

The hood is four sided, 7 feet long. A big one.

Lola Sanderson
home owner - Laurel, Mississippi
2005

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2005

Been there, done that...Has nothing to to with experience, just with the human factor.
Options: Spot Repair or Complete RE-DO.

To spot repair, you can strip the area with a wet cloth -lacquer thinner ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] Warning! highly flammable! . Let it soak. It is tough, because thinner likes to evaporate. If you use a thick stripping agent, you really have to keep an eye on it, plus it stinks and stings worst than thinner. Then when stripped, Use steel wool [affil link on Amazon] 0, followed by 000 steel wool ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . Now the metal is ready for the patina process. You could buy an Antique Solution at Home Depot and spot apply. Pat or wipe, try to re-create the original pattern use. Clean and then clear. I won't be surprised if you leave finger prints yourself.

RE-DO - Strip, Prep, Antique application, and Clear. Strip at a plating shop or have it glass-bead blasted. Apply antique solution, clear with gloss or satin lacquer.

Ron Young has a book with patina formulas.

website, and links

Alicia Moreno, La Kromadora
Escondido, San Diego No., California