Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry

The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Restoring copper fireplace

Our new church recently purchased a 50-year old country club facility that had a wonderful (and I'm sure expensive) copper fireplace. It had a 50-year old patina that was just lovely. However, in his zeal to get everything fixed up, one of our members sandblasted the entire surface. It certainly removed the patina--and left us with a horrible salmon-colored metal that only vaguely resembled the original copper. Another member then tried to restore the copper look with lemon juice and baking soda or cream of tartar--I'm not sure which. Within about a week it has turned a dark color, but quite ugly. Is there anything we can do to restore the copper--with patina or without?

Trisha Wall
consumer - Odessa, Texas
2007

I'd use Brasso ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , which will bring it back to a copper look but not a salmon look. Then let it age itself.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007

(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: