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

Please help save a copper charlotte!

June 3, 2009

Hi,

I have copper pot that's been passed down my family. A few years ago, I made the mistake of using it as a flower pot. Now that I'm trying to restore it, the inside is completely corroded and green. The outside had a beautiful patina which I completely wiped away with the store bought copper glo ⇦this on eBay [affil links] solution. I've tried soaking it in lemon juice, water & vinegar ⇦in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil links] ...but no real changes. The only thing I've done is added more oxidation on the outside of the pot's crevices with the over-the-counter copper glo. Do you have any recommendations for bringing this pot back to its original state...without damaging it? After I accomplish this, I will probably let it patina naturally, over time. I asked a conservator and he recommended a hexametaphosphate solution...but it is like $200/kilo. Too much for my little project and the company who carries this doesn't have a smaller/less expensive alternative. Any feedback is greatly appreciate it.

Thank you!

Nadine Moreau
student - San Francisco, California

Try 5% ammonium citrate solution(50 gm citric acid ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] / 1 lit water/+ add some ammonia-pH must be 9). Hot solution works faster (80 °C temp.)Hope it helps and good luck!

Goran Budija
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
June 12, 2009