How to clean copper from oxides
Despite the positive aspects of using copper products, over time they may develop black or greenish deposits, leading to loss of shine. To return a copper product to its original appearance, you can use some secrets for cleaning it at home.
In order to clean your favorite copper product, you need to take a small container of hot water, add a little cleaning agent and dip a sponge or soft rag into the solution. Then, with this sponge, you should carefully rub the copper product, and then lower it into another container with clean water.
Using this conventional method, you can rid a copper product of minor contaminants.
To clean copper items at home, freshly squeezed lemon juice is perfect. They need to rub the copper product and then rinse with warm water.
You can clean copper using regular tomato ketchup. Squeeze the required amount of ketchup into a deep bowl and lower the copper product into it. Leave for about 10 minutes, then remove and thoroughly wash in warm water. An item made of copper will look new.
If a black spot appears on your favorite household item made of copper alloy, dip it in a weak vinegar solution, where two tablespoons of table salt were previously dissolved.
Then place the container with the product in the vinegar solution on the fire and boil for 10 minutes. Under the influence of acetic acid and elevated temperature, the process of dissolving the oxides that have appeared on the copper will begin. Then take the product out and let it cool. After this, immerse it in clean water for some time, and then wipe it dry with a soft cloth.
The above methods for cleaning copper products should be used after preparatory testing of the method on a small surface of the product in order to determine the nature of the reaction of the alloy to the cleaning agent.
If in the end no changes occur, you can continue to clean the product in a relaxed manner.
How to clean copper coins at home?
In order to clean copper coins from long-term dirt and oxides, you can use the following methods.
If a yellowish coating begins to form on the surface of copper coins, most likely the copper began to come into contact with nearby lead.
You can clean coins from such deposits using the usual method of immersion in a ten percent solution of acetic acid. You can prepare it independently by the usual method of mixing one part of acetic acid with nine equal parts of pure water. After the plaque has dissolved, the coins should be taken out and washed with warm water.
If your copper coins have a red coating on them, you can get rid of it with ammonia. Cleaning occurs like this: coins are dipped into a pre-prepared ammonia solution (ammonia solution) of five percent concentration. After some time, you can observe the redness of the solution due to the dissolution of the red coating.
From time to time it is necessary to leave the products in such a solution for several hours to return them to their original appearance. After this, the coins must be washed with clean water and wiped dry.
If a green coating begins to appear on copper coins as a result of long-term storage at home, you can clean it as follows: pour one tenth of citric acid into a glass and add room temperature water to it to the edges of the glass. You need to put your coins in the purchased solution and watch what happens. Under the influence of an acidic environment, a green coating will begin to move away from the walls of the coin and color the entire solution in the corresponding color.
As soon as all the plaque has left the copper coin, you need to remove it from the glass and wash it thoroughly in warm water. Then it is better to polish the coin a little to give it a sparkling appearance.
Adding shine to copper products
Often, ordinary people are interested in the obvious problem of cleaning copper to give it an initial shine. Here are several current methods with which you can achieve the desired result.
To give copper objects a sparkling shine, they must be rubbed with a mixture consisting of equal parts flour, table salt and vinegar essence. After this, the cleaned copper objects should be thoroughly washed with running water and wiped dry.
You can restore the shine to copper objects using ordinary black and white newspaper.
Roll it into a small ball and polish tarnished items with it. Everything will shine again!
Handy products for cleaning copper products
This is what ancient copper utensils look like
If necessary, you can clean a fairly large piece of home decor from a greenish coating - its entire surface should be rubbed with half a lemon, since its huge size will not allow you to put it in any container. Afterwards, you need to wait about 5 minutes and rub the surface with a brush, and then rinse with water.
This method is ideal for cleaning copper chandeliers, lamps, and plumbing fixtures at home, because this way you can easily and easily get rid of traces of oxidation on the surface of products.
If you need to clean copper utensils from any contamination, then you should be aware that copper that has turned green or turned greyish can be quite poisonous and therefore you should not eat food from such utensils.
After all, this can cause serious harm to health. So if the dishes are still covered with a greenish coating, then it is better to throw them away as a home decor item.
Cleaning copper utensils is necessary for future use of the product.
But before that you will have to clean it. To do this, you just need to place such dishes in hot water with baking soda added to the detergent, then you need to rub it, and then rinse it in clean water. This method will help you quickly and efficiently clean copper products without much time and effort.
Copper products must be placed in the prepared solution
If the desired copper object is very dirty, you can clean it by placing it in a solution of vinegar with the addition of a small amount of salt and bringing this solution to a boil.
After the product has cooled, you need to wipe it and rinse it with warm water, this way you can quickly clean the copper.
To clean items made of polished copper, you just need to moisten the surface in kerosene, and then wipe it with chalk powder using a woolen rag. The cost of kerosene is about 30-50 rubles per liter, so this cleaning can be not only quite effective, but also economical.
You can also wipe a copper object with ammonia (ammonia) and then carefully rinse it under running water; this method will perfectly help remove greenish deposits and blackness.
How to restore a beautiful shine to copper products
Cleaning ancient copper coins with soda
In order to give copper products a shine, they should be wiped with a mixture of vinegar, flour and salt, then polish the surface with a soft cloth, and they will shine like new.
Salt and vinegar solution cleans copper items
If, after cleaning the copper, it is necessary to give it the most marketable appearance, then an artificial patina should be applied to the product.
Before you start, you need to prepare a solution, for this you will need:
- 1 liter of distilled water;
- 50 grams of vitriol (you can buy it at any gardening store);
- 5 grams of potassium permanganate.
After mixing all the components, the solution must be heated, but not brought to a boil, and a suitable object must be lowered into it. The product should be twisted from time to time, after it has received the appropriate color, you can remove it from the solution and dry it properly.
This effect is lost quite quickly, but it can be preserved. To do this, it is necessary to cover the cleaned surface with a mixture of alcohol and benzene in equal proportions.
This method will help protect any copper product from the harmful effects of the environment and rapid fading.
Gentle cleaning products for copper products
If you need to clean copper coins or antiques of great value from traces of oxidation, then the process must be very careful so as not to cause harm or scratches.
To do this, place the desired item in a ten percent citric acid solution; it will easily remove the greenish coating and will not cause any harm to the alloy.
To carefully clean copper objects from patina, an extremely unusual method can help: you need to soak the contaminated item in kefir for a couple of hours, then rinse the item in running water.
Another and no less unusual option is ketchup. Kefir and ketchup contain an acid that interacts with the oxide, dissolving it.
Naturally, these methods may not be effective enough for more powerful contaminants, but they will not cause any harm to the iron object.
Cleaning copper coins with kefir may also help
A more effective result can be achieved by soaking copper products in a soap solution.
To do this, grate a small amount of laundry or baby soap on a small grater and pour boiling water over it. Then soak the copper product in this solution for several hours. This method can extremely carefully clean any iron object, but its main drawback is that all this can take a lot of time, depending on the degree of oxidation, the function must be repeated several times.
All of the methods listed above will help to perfectly clean copper objects from various contaminants, traces of oxide, and plaque at home, without much harm to them.
Dark wood imitation (stain)
Source: https://stroilko.info/poleznye-sovety/kak-ochistit-med-ot-okislov.html
How to Clean Copper from Fiberglass
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IMHO you need to burn, but if you just burn, then with our volumes, half the city will be in a frenzy. I think it’s not worth the hassle, but the easiest way is to negotiate with a company that purchases scrap and sell them the cable waste at a lower price. I believe that if you put a lot of effort into firing and cleaning the insulation, you won’t win a lot of money. It also depends on what cable. If the insulation is polyethylene, then you can burn it.
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how to remove varnish from wires
How to strip insulation from a wire? This question has worried every person at least once. But before you begin to study the methods for carrying out this procedure, you need to understand the purpose of this layer for the cable.
Stripping may be necessary in cases where it is necessary to install an outlet or switch. And there can be a huge number of such examples. Traditional household wire is a cable of small sections.
Removing the insulation quickly from a standard cord, as a rule, does not cause any particular problems.
How to Clean Insulated Copper Wire
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How to clean a transformer winding
The purpose of winding wire insulation is to prevent interturn short circuits. In low voltage asynchronous motors the turn-to-turn voltage is usually a few volts. However, when switching on and off, short-term voltage pulses occur, so the insulation must have a large margin of electrical strength. The appearance of weakening at one point can cause electrical breakdown and damage to the entire winding.
Source: https://pechi-sibiri.ru/kak-ochistit-med-ot-steklovolokna/
How to clean copper until it shines
Copper was one of the first metals mastered by man back in prehistoric times. Weapons and tools, household utensils and jewelry were made from copper.
And all these millennia, people have been faced with the question: how to clean copper products from the stains that inevitably appear on them.
Why copper products need to be cleaned regularly
During use and storage, copper products become covered with a dark or green coating. The oxide film is formed as a result of the interaction of the metal with atmospheric oxygen. Heating or using the item outdoors or in rooms with high humidity accelerates plaque formation. At the same time, dishes and decorations lose their appearance and look untidy. In the sailing fleet, most of the metal parts of the ship were made of copper, and there was even such an expression as “scrubbing a piece of copper.”
In addition, the chemical compounds that make up plaque can have harmful effects on human health. Therefore, copper products must be cleaned regularly.
Since ancient times, people have been improving cleaning methods, using both mechanical and chemical methods.
Effective cleaning methods
Today, the arsenal of tools that can be used to clean copper has expanded significantly. Together with ancient vinegar, sand and wire sponges, a large number of both specially designed products and those adapted by folk craftsmen are used. Among the latter there are some quite unexpected ones.
How to clean copper
- Tomato ketchup. Apply a small amount of tasty seasoning to the stain and leave for several minutes. Rinse off with plenty of water.
- In case of light stains, you can try washing them with a regular gel detergent. The gel is squeezed onto a soft sponge and then applied to a copper object. After leaving for a minute, rub the surface and rinse with water.
- Used for large products, such as a samovar. Cut the lemon in half and rub the half over the surface of the product. Next, clean with an elastic fluffy brush and rinse with water.
- Vinegar dough. Mix vinegar and regular table flour in equal parts. Stir until a homogeneous paste-like mass is obtained. Next, the paste is spread in a thin layer on the surface to be cleaned. After waiting for complete drying, remove the product with a rag or wooden spatula. The product must then be polished with a soft cloth.
If the above methods do not lead to success, use the following method:
- Prepare a stainless steel basin or pan.
- Pour vinegar and add a couple of tablespoons of regular table salt. Stir thoroughly.
- Immerse the item to be cleaned in the solution and bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat and leave to cool at room temperature.
- Drain the cooled solution, rinse the copper object and wipe dry.
Cleaning copper with vinegar
If you decide to clean copper, take precautions. The use of protective gloves and glasses is mandatory. If you dilute vinegar essence, you should ensure ventilation of the room.
Cleaning copper at home
Copper utensils and jewelry should be cleaned regularly. With regular care, copper cleaning is carried out by regular washing or wiping with kitchen or sanitary gel. If plaque covers a significant area and cannot be removed by simple means, more radical cleaning methods are used.
How else can you clean copper?
- Citric acid powder is diluted at the rate of a tablespoon of acid per liter of water. Add a teaspoon of table salt and stir thoroughly. Use the resulting solution to wipe away plaque stains using a sponge or cloth. The method is convenient for items that do not fit in the sink: large figurines, door and window fittings, samovars, teapots, etc.
- Black deposits should be cleaned with ammonia. If you have to clean dishes, be sure to thoroughly rinse the utensils with plenty of water. If ammonia enters the human body, it can lead to serious poisoning. In the case when individual stains merge into a continuous layer of plaque, it is better to soak the entire product for one to three minutes.
- It is better to clean red stains with an ammonia solution with a strength of no higher than 10%. Carefully! Ammonia is poisonous. Be sure to provide adequate ventilation.
- It is good to clean yellow and black stains with a mixture based on regular 9% vinegar. To one part vinegar, take one part salt and two parts water. Immerse the item to be cleaned in the tank with the solution and bring the mixture to a boil. Carefully monitor the disappearance of stains - as soon as they have dissolved, stop boiling and allow the tank to cool. Next, the product should be rinsed with plenty of water and wiped dry.
Before you begin cleaning the entire copper item from oxides, you should test the effect of the cleaning composition in an inconspicuous place or in a small area.
If the product is effective and does not damage the surface, you can clean the entire product.
How to make copper products shine
If you simply clean copper, the stains will go away, but the item itself will not shine. A dull surface can be made shiny using one of the following methods:
- Mechanical polishing with newspaper or printed leaflet printed with black ink only. Rub the surface until the shine is restored.
- Wiping with a weak solution of hydrochloric acid. Precautions must be taken: the room must be well ventilated, and the use of protective gloves and goggles or a transparent face shield is mandatory.
- Mix equal parts vinegar, table flour and regular salt. Stir until it becomes a thick paste. Apply the paste to the cloth and polish the surface until shiny. At the end of the operation, rinse the item with warm water.
To restore the shine to copper products, you should regularly care for them. Then it will be possible to do without the use of strong chemicals that are hazardous to health.
Causes of plaque on copper
As copper products are used or stored, their shine gradually fades, and they begin to become covered with plaque - oxide films. They have a variety of shades - from dark green to light blue.
There are several main causes of plaque:
- Due to contact with oxygen in the air, the copper surface becomes covered with a layer of green patina.
- Copper jewelry darkens when it comes into contact with skin and sweat secretions. If the copper darkens very quickly, it may indicate a health problem
- Plaque also occurs when there is high humidity or direct contact with water.
Craftsmen often deliberately patina their products, giving them a more antique appearance. This is the so-called “noble patina”
Cleaning copper from white deposits
The white coating is also an oxide film. It most often occurs on the surface of copper alloys. Its color is determined by the metals that make up the alloy. This oxide layer can be cleaned using the following methods:
- when the content of other elements in the part material is low, sulfamic acid is used. This potent chemical should be used with great care, limiting the time and area of exposure. Careful adherence to safety precautions is mandatory.
- A mixture of two tablespoons of salt per glass of whey is made. The resulting composition is rubbed onto the surface using a soft cloth. After you have finished cleaning, you must thoroughly rinse and dry the product.
- You can also clean white deposits with regular ketchup. A little seasoning is applied to the item, the acidic environment of ketchup restores its original appearance and shine. After cleaning, rinse with plenty of water and wipe dry.
- A thick layer of white plaque should be cleaned by boiling in a mixture of table salt and 9% edible vinegar. The item is boiled until the plaque dissolves, cooled slowly and washed with plenty of cold water.
- Another way to clean white plaque is a mixture of ammonia and powdered chalk. The resulting thick paste after mixing should be applied to the object and rubbed with a stiff brush. At the end of the process, wash and dry the surface.
Source: https://MyTooling.ru/instrumenty/kak-pochistit-med-do-bleska
How to clean copper insulation? — Machine tools, welding, metalworking
Used colored cable scrap is a popular and expensive recyclable material. You can extract it yourself from old power, fiber optic, telephone, installation, and other wiring. What tools and equipment will be needed to remove the winding? How to quickly clean a cable for scrapping, spending a minimum of time and effort?
Popular methods for stripping insulation
When handing over a cable, the metal core of the conductors is of value. Before going to the receiving point, you need to strip the cable from the insulating winding. There are several ways to do this yourself:
- manual stripping with a knife or hammer is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process, suitable if the batch of scrap is small;
- roasting and melting - a fast process, but harmful to the environment, not recommended for thin-stranded scrap, the metal burns out along with the winding;
- the use of special equipment is the fastest and safest method; tools are used during the work.
Cleaning with a knife or hammer
A construction or stationery knife or pullers with hooks, adjusting screws, etc. are suitable for stripping wires. When working, carefully cut the winding along the core, then take it to the side and cut it.
When working with a hammer, they hit the cable with force until the insulation separates from the metal.
Firing and reflow
You can burn raw materials over a fire, but the method is justified for large volumes of raw materials. Perform work outdoors, observing safety precautions.
Melting a cable with a soldering iron is one of the ways to remove insulation from thin and thick wires and cables. Before work, the wire is laid on a flat horizontal surface. Then heat up the soldering iron and apply it vertically to the winding. As the insulation melts, the cable is rotated around its axis. After firing, the plastic can be easily removed with pliers, tweezers, or pliers.
Important! Work in a well-ventilated area. When the insulation melts, toxins are released and there is a strong plastic smell.
Using a side cutter and stipper
How to quickly clean the cable for scrap delivery and mechanize the process? Special tools will help:
Side cutters are called wire cutters or tweezers for cutting wires. When using it, the free end of the wire is clamped between the blades, then carefully turned and pulled. The insulation is easily removed.
Note! The cutting edges are directed in the direction of movement of the tool so that the blades cut into the winding without much effort. If you handle the side cutter incorrectly, the cable will break off along with the insulation.
A stripper will help automate the cable cleaning process. There are different subtypes of the instrument. Models differ in the number of additional functions.
Stipper and working with it
The operating principle of all strippers is the same:
- the end of the cable is inserted into the hole of the tool;
- they clamp the handles of the stripper with their hands to cut through the windings;
- then the conductor is pulled outward, freeing it from insulation.
Important! The good thing about this tool is that it is simple and easy to use and is inexpensive. It rarely damages the cable, reduces winding removal time, and is suitable for working with single-core stranded conductors.
Special equipment
If there is a lot of scrap, special equipment for removing insulation will help simplify the preparation of raw materials. It can be rented directly from a centralized collection point.
Recycling collection points
Scrap acceptors purchase the following waste cable and wire products:
a) manufacturing defects, warehouse surplus;
b) used cable lines, production remains;
c) old uncleaned cable;
d) dismantled communications;
e) installation waste.
Acceptance is carried out according to several criteria, which determine the price per kg of scrap. The length of the conductor pieces, the percentage of scrap to insulation, and foreign impurities are taken into account.
It is recommended to hand over recyclable materials to collection points that have documents and permits to conduct this type of activity. Before weighing, the scrap is inspected and assessed by specialists.
By the way! To determine the weight of the metal without winding, the acceptance specialist cuts off a prototype conductor, strips it and weighs it.
Average price per kg of copper scrap for 2018-2019
Scrap type | Description of scrap | Average price, rub./kg |
Cable in winding | Covered with insulation | 250-290 |
Copper cable | With a copper yield of 70% or more | 280-320 |
"Oil" | With braid removed by hand. We accept raw materials without insulation, paint, varnish, paper, terminals, stains, or oxides. | 230-320 |
"Mix" | Telephone cable, pigtail buses, wire, conductors. The presence of paint, varnish, oxides is allowed | 250-320 |
"Shine" | Fully purified raw materials with a perfectly shiny surface | 330-350 |
Copper after firing | Raw materials after heat treatment. | 310-330 |
The cost of aluminum scrap depends on the thickness of the core, Al content, and purity of the raw materials. Price range – from 20 to 70 rubles/kg.
Source: https://stanki-info.com/kak-ochistit-med-ot-izolyatsii/
How to clean copper wire. How and what to clean copper oxide from at home: the most effective methods
One of the main sources is cable scrap. Copper cable is a cable with conductive cores made of electrical copper .
This metal is distinguished by a minimal content of impurities , which increases its electrical and thermal conductivity, making it soft and malleable.
Copper cables that have failed or have reached the end of their service life are readily purchased, but wire prices can vary greatly depending on the percentage of copper in the raw materials being sold.
The basis of the cable is a current-carrying core made of. Typically, a product has several cores isolated from each other, which are enclosed in a common shell.
Depending on the conditions of operation, the coating can be reinforced with a protective screen or armor.
The following types of cables are distinguished:
- power;
- household;
- control;
- special.
Power copper cables are designed to distribute electricity supplied by a power plant to:
- substations,
- municipal and transport facilities,
- manufacturing enterprises, etc.
Inside such products there are up to five conductive cores.
Based on the insulation material, they are divided into several types:
Household ones have from one to several cores. They are used to connect devices to portable power generators, as well as welding installations to the electrical network.
Control cables are used to connect electrical appliances, switchgears and various mechanisms in tunnels and channels without the risk of damage. Installation of this type of wires is possible both outdoors and indoors.
Special cables are used to transmit high-frequency and low-frequency signals.
Areas of use
Cables with copper conductors are widely used in various sectors of human economic activity:
- in power lines serving for the transmission and distribution of electricity in stationary installations;
- installation of wiring inside residential premises and offices ;
- at production enterprises where there is a high probability of fires and explosions.
Single-core copper cable finds its use in conditions where, after installation, its immobility is ensured (electric motors, indoor electrical wiring).
At the same time, stranded wire is used to power equipment with a large range of motion.
Such equipment includes, for example, gantry cranes.
Admission conditions and restrictions
Scrap copper cable is a valuable type of secondary raw material and is accepted in almost any form. The cost at which you can hand over copper wire to a collection point depends on a number of factors:
- Quality of raw materials . The higher the copper content in the cable, the higher its cost.
- Core section thickness.
- Purity . The cable should be free of visible traces of grease, enamel, varnish, welding and oxides.
- The integrity of the shell and the complexity of further processing of scrap.
- Batch size . The larger the batch, the higher the price per 1 kg of cable.
It is not recommended to hand over scrap metal to small private collection points . As a rule, they do not have documents confirming the right to conduct such activities and are simple resellers who announce the minimum price for metal.
A higher price for scrap metal is offered by processing plants and metal depots that have all the necessary technological and material capabilities for its transportation, evaluation and further processing.
Prices for accepting scrap copper cable
The cost of copper cable varies depending on the percentage of copper in the raw materials supplied, as well as the quality and volume of the metal.
The exact price of scrap can be found out after analyzing the sample using special equipment -.
In the price lists of enterprises that accept scrap, as a rule, the price is for pure metal , freed from:
- isolation;
- lubricants;
- paints, etc.
a prototype is cut at the delivery point , which is cleared of the braid and weighed. In this way, the amount of metal in the received batch is determined, without taking into account the mass of the insulation.
Average prices for different types of copper cable scrap are presented in the table:
Type of scrap | Description | Price/price range (RUB per kg) |
Copper cable | With copper yield from 70% | 260 — 300 |
Copper cable | In isolation | 220 — 280 |
Copper "oil" | scrap cable, mechanically stripped of its braid. Does not have oxides, darkening, in oil. The presence of varnish, terminals, residues of insulating material, paint, dirt, paper, etc. is unacceptable. | 200-298 |
Copper "mix" | Current conductors, telephone copper wire, wire, cable, parts of units, flexible busbars “pigtails”. Coating with varnish, paint, as well as the presence of oxides is allowed. | 230 — 285 |
Burnt copper | Scrap of a copper core with a cross-section of any shape that has undergone heat treatment. The raw materials should not contain traces of oxidation, tips, oil, or particles of insulating material. | 280 — 300 |
Copper "shine" | Stripped copper wires and cables. Each core is shiny, free of oxides, darkening, films, traces of oil and varnish, as well as insulation residues. The price depends on the cross-sectional diameter of the core. | 240 — 318 |
How to increase the value of scrap
In order not to make a mistake and sell scrap copper wire at the best price, you need to analyze the cost of raw materials on the market and decide on the circle of potential buyers.
- Compare prices for scrap copper cable at various locations. Order a preliminary assessment of the material from companies offering the most favorable conditions, and choose the most suitable option for yourself.
- Check out the buyer's reputation ; check if he has .
- Accumulate more raw materials for delivery . A large batch of scrap copper cable allows you to sell it at a better price.
- Objectively evaluate the conditions of admission . Free dismantling of scrap and its delivery to the enterprise is often compensated by the reduced cost of receiving the metal, so it is necessary to evaluate the range of services as a whole.
- Clean the cable . Wire stripped of braiding is accepted at reception points at much higher prices. If the insulation can be removed by hand, then roasting should not be used, as annealed copper is considered a lower quality material.
Self-cleaning of insulation
If you don't have time, you can hand over the copper cable uncleaned. In this case, the reward will be less.
The process of cleaning copper wire from the braid is unsafe and technologically complex. This requires appropriate equipment and special knowledge.
The advantage of cleaning wires from insulation yourself is the opportunity to sell scrap at a higher price .
Disadvantages of DIY cleaning:
- Large time and labor costs.
- Special knowledge and equipment required.
- The efforts expended do not always pay off, since cleaning large volumes is much easier, faster and more profitable to carry out at specialized enterprises.
Cable stripping equipment can be purchased, for example, from a Chinese supplier on aliexpress:
The main methods for cleaning copper cable are:
- Heat treatment . This method is not used often, as it contradicts environmental standards. In addition, it has certain limitations: burning thin-stranded cable scrap is not recommended, since the metal can burn out along with the insulation.
- Mechanical . Removing insulation manually (stripping). A long and labor-intensive process. Its implementation is not always justified in terms of time and labor costs. To speed up the process, you can use a manual mechanical stripper.
- Modern cleaning methods using special technological equipment. For example, a powerful and productive automatic stripper. This method is the most effective and safe from an environmental point of view. And the removed insulation can also be sent for recycling.
To learn how to clean copper cable at home using improvised means , watch this video:
Summary
Due to its high thermal and electrical conductivity, copper is widely used in many industries.
Recycling copper scrap into waste cable is one of the main sources of this metal today.
Reception of copper cable is carried out at competitive prices, but they may vary depending on:
- percentage of copper in raw materials;
- wire quality and cross-section;
- batch size.
Thus, the final cost calculation is made in each case individually.
Source: https://bboff.ru/kak-pochistit-mednyi-provod-kak-i-chem-chistit-med-ot-okisi-v/
How to clean copper insulation
There are various wires and cables, some are laid according to a standard scheme, others are laid over the air. It is the former that have a special protective layer that prevents short circuits. Such a surface is subject to dismantling in the process of performing the simplest tasks. For example, this is the connection of two cables so that the contact point becomes as tight as possible and works efficiently.
The question arises: “How to remove insulation from wires?” To make this process easier, there are many different techniques and techniques. Because it is not always necessary to completely disassemble the cable; sometimes you just need to clean the contacts without damaging the main core.
In order not to make mistakes and understand exactly how to remove insulation from a wire, you should arm yourself with instructions and take the correct recommendations as a basis. But without the proper tools, the work will not be completed. In addition, wires and cables may have different bases, and the methods differ accordingly.
Before stripping the insulation from the wires, it is worth considering some of the nuances of the process. After all, the coating can be in one layer or several. The work is done quickly, but this will require the use of a stripper.
If you don’t go into details, many people don’t see any difficulties in the procedure for cleaning a cable or wire from protection. But without sharp, cutting objects, the work will not go smoothly. As a result, there is a possibility of compromising the integrity of the wire itself. The following may happen:
- Formation of holes in unnecessary places.
- There is a possibility of getting hurt.
- Damage to the conductor itself.
All this can be easily eliminated if simple and precise instructions for implementation are taken into service. In addition, special tools are required. There is no need to rush, even if you have experience in completing the task. It is worth at least theoretically understanding how to remove insulation from wires with a tool.
There are two main cores used in the process - copper and aluminum. If you remove the insulation, you will have to be careful with each type and take your time. When it comes to strength, copper retains its integrity longer than aluminum. Below we will consider the properties and characteristics of each.
Aluminum:
- Density is expressed in t/m3. More than 2.6.
- There is no resistance to frequent bending.
- It will not be possible to create a multi-wire core.
- The specific resistance is negligible.
Copper:
- Density is expressed in t/m3. More than 8.8.
- Resistance to frequent bending is present.
- It will be possible to create a multi-wire core.
- The resistivity is good.
From these data we can conclude that copper insulation is the best and its conductivity is high. But aluminum does not have a high level of reliability, so it is used less often. Great care will have to be taken during the cleaning process. Therefore, before stripping the insulation from a copper wire, it is worth making a small notch and preparing the appropriate tool. There are not many options for working with cables and wires; it is important to choose not just a suitable method, but an effective one.
What methods are effective?
Most of the skill in removing the protective layer from a cable or wire comes with time and practice. Especially when you need to do cleaning on the thinnest possible wire.
The main thing is to correctly choose the degree of application of force and pressure on the tool. In addition, the speed of work and the final result depend on the direction of movement. You will have to understand how deep the main vein is. This will determine whether it is damaged or not. Before removing the insulation from aluminum or copper wires, you will have to figure out what kind of material is inside.
The simplest options for doing the job:
- Using a stationery or regular knife. If you chose the first option, then you should not take one that is too large, they are inconvenient to work with. The pressure should not be maximum, since their blade is quite sharp. A simple knife should have a narrow blade and high-quality sharpening.
- Using side cutters. This is a convenient design, it is similar to scissors, but more durable and sharp. They are sold at any hardware store, although many always have them on hand.
- Burning. This is another good option and less dangerous. To do this, you need to apply high temperature so that the winding melts. If you need to make a small release, then this method is ineffective, since a fairly large area is burned.
- Using a stripper. This is the tool chosen by professionals.
Each method has its own characteristics. Next we will look at these methods in more detail.
Using a knife
How to quickly remove insulation from wires? This is the most common and effective method, but it is very traumatic. When you need to process a small number of wires at home, this option is quite suitable. The main thing you need to know is at what angle to hold the tool. You can’t do circular movements, because it’s completely ineffective. Because with this option there is a high probability of cutting the main working core. After this, the wires will become unusable.
The angle of inclination is as sharp as possible so that the blade does not penetrate deeply into the body of the wire. Only minor slipping is allowed. You should choose the “pull away” position - such conditions are safe for the worker and for the cable itself.
Electrician's knife
An electrician's knife is the most convenient tool. It has a heel, making it quite easy to hold. At the same time, the core is protected as much as possible, your hands are safe, and the insulation is removed efficiently. This is the answer to the question: “How to quickly remove the insulation from a copper or aluminum wire?”
Side cutter - effective help
This is a metal tool with comfortable handles. But most often the work is done by craftsmen. This process requires knowing how much force to apply, otherwise the main core may be damaged. Electricians know how to carry out the stripping process. The side cutter is used in several cases:
- When the cable is too thick, biting is done in several places along the entire length, and then the insulation is removed by hand. This option is quite suitable for inexperienced people. But the cuts must be made carefully so as not to violate the integrity of the main cable.
- You need to run the strip along its entire length, and then remove the main winding downwards.
- Through a distance of 3 centimeters, cuts are made with a side cutter. After which you need to remove the winding in small pieces.
These are the simplest options for people without experience and more. Craftsmen can easily work with this tool. This option will help you easily remove the insulation from the wire for scrapping. To avoid damaging the main core, it is worth holding the sharpened jaws in the opposite direction of pulling and removing the insulation. This allows you to not disrupt anything and get the job done quickly.
Today there are wires on sale on which the manufacturer makes special notches during the creation process so that the insulation can be quickly removed. Therefore, before stripping the insulation from a copper wire, it is worth considering it: you may not even need tools.
Burning
This is the easiest way when you need to remove insulation to transfer wires. This is also the most effective method if the inside is made of polyvinyl chloride. When a small area needs to be treated, use a lighter or soldering iron. Under thermal influence, the winding softens and it simply comes off the wire. If the winding thickness is small, this option is the most effective.
There is one drawback - it has a smell. Therefore, work must be carried out in a room with access to fresh air. Toxic emissions during the firing process negatively affect the body.
What is a stripper?
These are the tools that help you do the procedure quickly and efficiently. But not every cable is suitable for such work. The cross-section must be at least 0.2 mm. You can find various types of devices on sale or from craftsmen:
- Manual stripper without add-ons. Its use is similar to working with a side cutter: notches are made, after which the winding is removed. But this option is not suitable for every section.
- Semi-automatic At the base there is an adjustment lever that regulates the degree of pressure, after which, when the handles are closed, the main process of stripping begins.
- Machine. This is the best option because it is based on several functions - cutting, stripping, crimping conductors.
As a result, this method brings many positive aspects. The main thing is that cuts in the main core are completely eliminated. As a result, this method can be called the best. It is the stripper that allows you to properly remove insulation from wires without damaging the core.
Cable check
When work is underway to get rid of the winding, you need to carry out actions in a clear sequence. Each cable has its own characteristics. Work on a copper cable should be carried out in the following order, since it has two layers of PVC insulation:
- Electrical power is cut off.
- During the installation of the outlet, only a strictly defined area needs to be cleaned. 15 cm is quite enough. A person without experience should not reduce this distance. A side cutter is used for this procedure.
- The top part is cut and carefully removed.
- The required length is set on the stripper, after which the phase and neutral conductors are placed in the tool. A complete cleanup is being done.
This is the entire scope of the work, after which you need to fix the socket. This procedure is not difficult to carry out, although mistakes are often made. The wire breaks, and further stripping has to be done.
How not to perform pressure testing?
Experts believe that removing insulation from cables and wires is not so easy. As a result, many mistakes are made that lead to the main core being undercut. The main reason is the use of the wrong tool. Therefore, there is a special list of those violations that are worth knowing not only for beginners, but also for masters:
- When the top layer is removed and it needs to be cut, the craftsman often chooses the wrong angle, which leads to notches on the main core. Even a slight, imperceptible notch in the insulation of a current-carrying cable leads to a short circuit, and sometimes to complete failure of the entire device.
- Incorrect use of side cutters. They have a sharp side and a blunt side, often choosing the wrong side. As a result, a sharp sliding along the wire occurs, which leads to excessive tension and compression, and this already violates the integrity of the main core.
- A knife with a heel is convenient, but it must be clearly directed, namely, choose the angle of inclination. A mistake made leads to the main cable being cut. And violation of secondary insulation causes more serious problems.
How to bend a copper tube at home
Everything happens due to an illiterate choice of tool. But there are also other problems: a frivolous attitude towards the procedure of clearing the main cable or wire from the winding. Before removing the insulation from a thin wire, you should know what actions you will have to perform, and do everything carefully and in a clear sequence. There are situations when the distance for work is minimal and it is unacceptable to take risks.
We repair headphones
A common problem when using headphones is a violation of the integrity of the wire. To restore it, you need to choose a simple stationery knife for the job. The procedure occurs in several stages:
- It is necessary to find the breakdown.
- Remove the top winding by making a neat longitudinal cut.
- Connect the components and insulate them.
How to remove wire insulation from headphones?
You can use a sheet of sandpaper. Its grain size does not matter (the main thing is to do the work on the front side of the element). Place the edge of the wire on sandpaper and press on top with a soldering iron. It will melt our winding. Then its remains can be removed by hand. As a result, we get a wire without insulation.
After this, you can make the connection using the same soldering iron. This is not a long procedure, but everyone can achieve a positive result. There is no need to experiment; each tool does its job.
When working with wires and cables, use a sharp knife and a stripper; in other situations, it is worth selecting the appropriate devices.
Conclusion
So, we looked at how to properly remove insulation from wires. As you can see, there are different tools and methods. You just have to choose the most suitable one and follow the instructions.
Source: https://respect-kovka.com/kak-ochistit-med-ot-izolyatsii/
How to remove oxidation from copper
Copper products have remained relevant and popular for several centuries. But their noble appearance is often spoiled by a greenish dull coating that forms on the surface layer due to an oxidative reaction with air. You can clean copper objects from oxides using modern chemical products or simple home techniques. Convenient and non-hazardous cleaning options will return your household utensils and other items to their original shine and attractiveness.
Reasons for the raid
Dishes, furniture fittings, jewelry and other things made of copper need periodic cleaning to remove green deposits. This need is associated with the characteristics of the metal. Due to prolonged exposure to air or exposure to temperature, such things become covered with a dark greenish film. Oxides are especially noticeable on dishes that are constantly used in the kitchen. Darkening can only be removed by cleaning.
Jewelry with copper behaves differently. They sometimes darken, but then return to their original state. It is widely believed that this behavior of the metal is a reflection of the health of the owner of the jewelry. In reality, such changes only reflect a reaction to environmental indicators: fluctuations in humidity, pressure or temperature.
Oxides on copper cookware are especially dangerous. If plates and pots are not cleaned for a long time, the metal releases toxic substances that are harmful to human health.
Metal oxidation
Copper in its usual state has a reddish tint. If a metal is exposed to air for a long time, it acquires a red-violet or blackish tint due to a layer of oxides forming on its surface. Prolonged exposure to high humidity conditions provokes the formation of a layer of hydroxides on a copper product. Then a greenish color appears. An acetic acid layer of blue-green color also appears on the copper from contact with vinegar. It is a poisonous substance.
Raid
Before you start cleaning, you need to determine whether the item is actually made of copper. The easiest way to do this is to use a magnet. Copper makes little contact with the magnet, but even the resulting attraction quickly disintegrates. Therefore, if a magnet sticks firmly to the surface of a thing, it is definitely made of another metal.
Then they determine whether there is plaque on the object or whether the peculiar layer is just a coating of varnish. Then a small amount of baking soda is quenched with vinegar and the resulting liquid is dripped onto the surface of the item. If a liquid quickly brightens an object, then the darkened layer is oxides that need to be gotten rid of.
Cleaning copper products at home
Copper products that are constantly used should be cleaned regularly. A simple rinse under the tap in dishwashing detergent is suitable. Instead, you can wipe down copper items with sanitary gel. If these methods do not bring cleanliness and a significant part of the product remains covered with plaque, more aggressive cleaning methods are used.
Vinegar with salt
In this case, rub the item with a soft cloth using a special product. It is mixed from 1 cup of ordinary vinegar and 1 tbsp. l. salt. After cleaning objects from oxide, they are washed with clean water and wiped thoroughly.
Another method for cleaning copper at home is to boil the item in a solution of salt and vinegar. For it, add 1 glass of ordinary vinegar and 1 tbsp to 3 glasses of water. l. table salt. The copper product is placed in the prepared solution and left to heat up. After 15 minutes of boiling, it is possible to remove all the green deposits. Then the item is taken out and washed under running water with detergent.
This cleaning method is used for copper items with or without a protective coating.
Cleaning with ketchup
This is an easy and affordable method to clean copper products from plaque. In this case, cover the surface of the copper item with the sauce and set aside for 30 minutes. Then polish the surface with a soft cloth, and wash off the remaining ketchup with warm water. This method returns the lost shine to the item. In the same way, you can clean copper utensils from patina using kefir.
Cleaning with salt and lemon
In this way, you can clean a copper basin at home or large copper products until they shine, for example, samovars and pots. Cut the lemon into two parts and sprinkle the cut area with coarse table salt. Then polish the surface of the kitchen utensils.
You can make a special paste for cleaning copper. For it, mix table salt, baking soda and flour in equal volumes, then add lemon juice to form a paste-like mass. This product is used to rub the surface layer of the object until it shines. After cleaning, the item is washed with heated water. As a result, the copper product acquires a mirror shine.
Using Baking Soda
It is convenient to use baking soda to clean copper at home in combination with lemon juice. Use the resulting liquid to wipe the surface layer of the item with a soft cloth and then rinse. Instead of lemon juice, you can clean copper with citric acid dissolved in water and soda.
Another way to use baking soda to clean copper from oxides is by boiling:
- Dilute 1 tbsp in 1 liter of water. l. soda and lower the product completely into the liquid.
- The container is set to heat up and boil for half an hour, after which the heating should be turned off.
- Then the product is washed with heated water and wiped completely.
Using the proposed method, green deposits are removed from a copper product. It is also used to remove damaged varnish on copper items.
Vegetable oil
An excellent means for cleaning copper is vegetable oil. It's even better to use olive oil. This method is good because it is natural, environmentally friendly and harmless. Therefore, it is especially recommended to use it when you need to clean valuable items from oxidation.
To do this, olive oil is poured into a deep container and copper objects are placed in it. After 10 days, they are removed and cleaned with a soft brush or cloth. Then they return to their place. Such actions are repeated every 10 days for two months.
Use of chemicals
Sulfuric acid removes darkening and green deposits from the surface layer of copper very well. It is mixed in equal proportions with water and a copper bracelet or other objects are placed in the liquid. When the seething begins, take the item out and wipe it well with a soft cloth. Then the item is laid out on a flat surface to dry. This cleaning method returns the product to its original shine.
When working with sulfuric acid and other aggressive substances, put rubber gloves on your hands, and protect your respiratory organs with a respirator.
Another cleaning method is to use the drug Trilon-B. The substance is stirred in water in a ratio of 1:10. Afterwards, the copper product is lowered into the resulting liquid and observed. When the required degree of cleanliness is achieved, the item is taken out and washed with clean water.
Cleaning Copper Coins
Coins made of copper and its alloys are often found in the collections of numismatists. Over time, their appearance deteriorates. A yellow film appears on coins if lead is included in the alloy. You can get rid of such a substance by immersing objects in a vessel with a solution of laundry soap. After 2-3 hours, the coins are taken out and wiped with a rag soaked in table vinegar. After such cleaning they become shiny.
Source: https://crast.ru/instrumenty/chem-ubrat-okislenie-s-medi
How to clean brass at home? How can you clean the outside of a brass samovar and other products to a shine, how to clean copper from oxide
- Chemical composition
- Excursion into history
- Methods for removing contaminants
- Chemical method
- Folk recipes
- Preparing for cleaning
- Precautionary measures
- How to remove varnish from a product?
- Polishing material
People have been using brass since ancient times. It is distinguished by ease of care, attractive appearance and ease of processing. Dishes, interior items and decorative items are made from this alloy. In our article we will talk about ways to clean brass products.
Chemical composition
The alloy structure includes two elements - copper and zinc:
- Copper. This element belongs to the class of native minerals. It is distinguished by its flexibility and accessibility. This metal is among the first seven types of metals that have been known since ancient times.
- Zinc. The metal has a silvery-white color and has been known since ancient times. The substance received its modern name in the 20s. last century. The chemical properties of metal include brittleness and ductility. When exposed to air, zinc tarnishes, but at the same time it is resistant to corrosion.
In the combination of two metals, copper dominates, while zinc complements the composition. According to its technical characteristics, brass is identical to bronze. Malleability, resistance to corrosion and mechanical stress make the alloy unique. Sometimes other metals are added to its composition: tin, aluminum or iron.
Brass stands apart from other metals, despite the fact that it can easily be classified as a bronze, because their compositions and properties are identical. Its color depends on the concentration of zinc in the composition and can vary from greenish to gold. The peculiarity of brass is that this alloy does not have magnetic properties. To check whether it is a brass alloy, simply hold a magnet near it. If it does not succumb to magnetic influence, you have a brass product in front of you.
Excursion into history
This unique material was known back in the Roman Empire. It was then that the production of brass alloys began. They were classified as precious materials, which were in third place in value. The first two places belonged to gold and silver. Then brass became widespread in the East, Asia Minor and the North Caucasus. Travelers following the Silk Road could purchase this strange alloy, supplied from Asia Minor.
Brass alloy was first produced in England by combining copper and zinc. This production method was patented in the 18th century by Jameson Emerson. In Russia, as in Western Europe, brass served as counterfeit gold.
In Rus', this alloy was used to make various costume jewelry: earrings, beads, amulets, medallions, bracelets, rings. They were silvered, blackened, and covered with gold, which made the jewelry beautiful works of art.
Brass jewelry to this day is distinguished by its sophistication and originality. It is used to create vintage-style jewelry that is distinguished by its unique design and extraordinary durability. Thanks to its heat capacity, samovars were made from brass. They were distinguished by their spectacular appearance, and uniform heating and the ability to retain heat for a long time made brass samovars an indispensable attribute of tea drinking in Rus'.
Orders and medals, church household items, pectoral crosses - this is not the entire list of brass products. Malleability and the lack of the ability to emit magnetic attraction made this material ideal for the manufacture of household items, accessories and utensils.
Methods for removing contaminants
Like any other material, brass is susceptible to contamination, and over time it can lose its original appearance and tarnish. In order for products made from it to delight you with its original appearance for a long time, it is necessary to take proper care of them.
Methods for returning brass products to their original appearance include:
- chemical;
- folk remedies.
Chemical method
Cleaning products with solutions of various chemical compositions has become widespread because this method is fast and not labor-intensive. The main criterion for choosing a chemical cleaning agent should be its gentle effect on the brass product. Chemical cleaning options include:
- oxalic acid;
- formic acid;
- acetone;
- professional cleaning products.
Oxalic acid is often used as a delicate substance that can restore the alloy to its original appearance. Along with this, any product used in everyday life that contains acid can be used to remove contaminants from brass products. It is important to pay attention to the other components that make up the cleaning product.
Formic acid is no less effective than oxalic acid, but has a more gentle effect. This reduces the risk of damaging the product. For this, it is preferable to choose a 30% acid solution.
Acetone is also common ; it easily and quickly returns the original shine to your product and removes oxide stains. To do this, just soak a cotton swab in acetone and wipe the product. This method is ideal for returning items that require delicate treatment to their original appearance: jewelry and rare items.
Professional cleaning products. The advantages of this cleaning method include the fact that their composition is specially designed for brass products. The risk of damaging the product is minimal when cleaning using professional cleaning products. Detailed instructions tell you how to correctly carry out the sequence of actions and get an excellent result.
Folk recipes
Brass is an ancient material, thanks to which many effective folk recipes have accumulated that can restore the original appearance of products made from this alloy. Traditional methods are distinguished by their efficiency and the ability to care for brass products using improvised means that can be found in every housewife’s home. The result of the efforts made will be the return to the product of its original yellow hue and unique shine, which only happens to products made of brass.
Common and simple ways to remove contaminants from brass products include the following recipes:
- vinegar-salt solution;
- use of sour dough;
- lemon cleansing;
- use of abrasives.
Vinegar-salt solution. To use this method, you need to dissolve a little salt in three liters of water, adding half a glass of vinegar to the resulting solution. Bring the liquid to a boil, then place the contaminated brass object into it. Continue boiling for four hours, adding water periodically. Thanks to this method, all dirt will disappear and the bright shine of the product will return.
Using sour dough. To prepare the mixture, you need to mix one glass of flour and the same amount of vinegar and water. The resulting composition should be coated on the brass product in the most contaminated places, then allowed to dry and polished with a soft cloth.
Lemon cleansing. A simple and effective recipe is as follows: cut the lemon into slices, add plenty of salt and wipe the contaminated areas on the brass product with them. Even the most severe stains will not withstand this influence, and the shine of the product will return again.
Use of abrasives. These include brushes and hard paper. After rinsing the product in a soapy solution, apply toothpaste to the contaminated areas, and then clean with a brush.
In case of severe oxidation, and also if the product does not require delicate treatment, you can use sandpaper. This method is ideal for cleaning brass fireplace mantels.
These recipes can quickly restore the appearance of a product and do not require significant financial investments or labor costs.
Preparing for cleaning
First, you need to make sure whether the product in front of you is actually a brass product. This can be done using a magnet. If there is a need to clean rare items, you need to evaluate how important it really is. After all, a product slightly touched by many years of patina has its own charm, and if you remove it, the external attractiveness of the object will be lost. Before cleaning such items, it is recommended to first contact an antique dealer.
If you are sure that the product really requires cleaning, you must first wash it in a soapy solution - dissolve a teaspoon of detergent or liquid soap in a liter of water, leaving the contaminated item in the solution for an hour. Then wipe with a soft cloth and wipe dry. This way you can remove some of the plaque.
Precautionary measures
Following these rules will help you avoid spoiling your favorite brass product while caring for it:
- do not use professional cleaning products for varnished products;
- For rare items, it is not recommended to use abrasives and hard brushes for cleaning;
- to select the optimal method of cleaning the product, it is necessary to conduct preliminary testing in a small area;
- Make sure there is no varnish on the product.
It is important to remember that if you are the proud owner of a brass item with history, you should contact an antique dealer for professional advice before using any of these methods.
How to remove varnish from a product?
All modern brass products are coated with a protective layer of varnish, which prevents oxidation, maintains shine and prevents contamination. During use, the varnish layer may crack, and a dark coating will form underneath. There are several effective ways to remove varnish from the surface of a product:
- hot water rinsing;
- boiling;
- use of special solutions.
Rinsing with hot water. Hot water can expand metal. After the product has been under the flow of hot water for several minutes, the varnish will come off easily. This method is one of the most gentle and safe.
Boiling. It is important to pay attention to the choice of pan for boiling a brass product; it should not contain aluminum. The entire process should not exceed three minutes.
Use of special solutions. The above methods may not help if the coating is old. You will then need to purchase a cleaning solution from a hardware store.
Polishing material
Sometimes cleaning the product is not required, but its appearance loses its shine. In this case, polishing the brass object will help. Metal polishing methods include:
- Polishing with a specialized product. The composition of commercially available products is environmentally friendly. They remove traces of oxidation and dirt well and do not require much labor during operation.
- Polish with lemon juice. To use this method at home, you need to cut the lemon into two parts and squeeze the juice from one half. Add a tablespoon of baking soda or salt and mix thoroughly. Apply the resulting mixture to the product and polish with a soft cloth.
The listed recipes for the beauty of brass products will help to carry out thorough care and maintain their unsurpassed appearance. The oxides on the outside of the brass will take a long time to disappear.
To learn how to clean brass using citric acid, watch the following video.
Source: http://thewalls.ru/moda/kak-pochistit-latun-v-domashnih-uslov.html
How to remove varnish from copper - Make your home better
From functional copper kitchenware to purely decorative wall plaques and vases, many factory-made copper products are coated with varnish to prevent them from tarnishing. While this makes it easier to clean and maintain (and looks great on store shelves), sometimes you need to remove the varnish from pieces of copper.
Why should you remove varnish from copper?
If you plan to display your copper piece as decoration, it is best to leave the varnish untouched. However, there are times when you will want to remove the varnish, such as:
- When the varnish on a vintage piece peels or bubbles.
- When you plan to use a copper item for cooking, cooking or serving.
- If you prefer the soft shine of bare polished copper over a super shiny varnish.
There are three ways to remove varnish from copper. You can use washing soda, acetone nail polish remover, or commercial nail polish thinner. All three involve some elbow grease, but the methods are all pretty simple.
No matter which process you choose, wear gloves to protect your hands from chemicals.
Method 1: boiling water and washing soda
- Add washing soda to boiling water, no more than one teaspoon per glass of water.
- Immerse the copper item and let it boil for at least 20 minutes. You should start to see a bit of scale on the surface of the water. This means that the varnish is softening and starting to peel off.
- Remove object from boiling water.
- Rub a small cloth under warm running water to remove any softened polish.
- If necessary, use a nylon dish scraper or soft-bristled toothbrush to remove stubborn stains and crevices.
- Wash thoroughly in hot soapy water.
- Dry with a soft cloth.
- Polish with a second dry cloth in a circular motion.
- Clean and polish the copper piece if necessary.
Read also Modernism in London
Method 2: Acetone nail polish remover
- Dip the cloth into acetone nail polish remover.
- Rub the copper piece until all the varnish is gone.
- Wash thoroughly in hot soapy water.
- Dry completely with a soft cloth.
- Polish with a second dry cloth in a circular motion.
- Clean and polish the copper as needed.
Method 3: Commercial Lacquer Thinner
If the first two methods don't do the job, you may have to use commercial lacquer thinner from the hardware store. Think of it as nail polish remover, which probably contains acetone and other solvents.
- Follow all instructions on commercial packaging for thinner varnish.
- Wash copper items thoroughly in hot, soapy water.
- Dry with a soft cloth.
- Polish with a second dry cloth in a circular motion.
- Clean and polish the copper as needed.
Once you remove the varnish from your copper piece, it will tarnish. To maintain the pinkish-orange color, it must be cleaned and polished regularly.
Source: https://ru.homediy.eu/kak-udalit-lak-s-medi/
How to oxidize copper at home
Over time, copper items lose their color and begin to take on a dark or green tint.
This happens naturally during the process of oxidation, but modern designers actively promote vintage interior elements; it looks beautiful, sophisticated, and expensive.
Antique copper bowl
But to achieve a beautiful shade of patina, you don’t have to wait several years; you can age the product artificially. There are many ways to do this. You can choose any one that suits you best.
Basic Tools
The use of various aging methods involves the use of some tools or improvised means. But there are universal items that are used with any method:
Patination is the artificial aging of copper interior items
- the product itself, carefully processed;
- thick rubber gloves;
- safety glasses for eye safety;
- aging agent (vinegar, ammonia, prepared solutions, acetone, ammonia);
- soap or just water for cleaning;
- magnet for checking the composition;
- hot treatment (hair dryer or any other heating agent);
- brush;
- special container (bucket, tin cans, plastic jars);
- means for polishing and grinding (sponge, cloth).
Using ammonia
Before starting work, you need to process the copper item with a file (a special file for jewelry work) - such preparation helps to clean the item from dirt and put it in order. To treat with ammonia you will need: the treatment agent itself, any container with a tight-fitting lid, a cotton pad and a lid the size of it.
Table of brands of copper products of a famous antique brand
The cotton pad should be placed in a small lid, thoroughly soaked in ammonia and placed together with the copper product in an airtight container.
After 10 minutes you can see how the copper item has aged.
When opening the container, do not forget that you can smell a strong smell of alcohol, so it is better to use a protective bandage.
Using Vinegar
In order to age a copper item with vinegar, you need to carefully prepare it. The preparation process consists of several stages:
You can age copper in vinegar
- If the copper product is covered with a layer of varnish, then it must be removed. To do this, you need to either hold the product in a container with acetone, or carefully treat it with a brush with the same product;
- Next, the copper item needs to be poured with hot water and rinsed so that the varnish comes off completely;
- if the copper item does not have any additional coating, then it will be enough to simply wash it with soap;
- The aging process cannot be started if the product is not dry enough. To speed up drying, you can use a hair dryer, but before doing this, make sure that there are no traces of protective coating left on the copper, otherwise the copper product may catch fire.
After the preparatory stage is completed, you can begin processing with vinegar. The big advantage of this method is that you do not need to work with harmful substances and you always have vinegar on hand in the kitchen.
As with acetone, you can either dip the item in vinegar or apply it to a brush and thoroughly treat the item.
Also, if you need to get a green patina, you can add a spoonful of salt to the vinegar.
After the desired result is achieved, the copper item should be rinsed in warm water and gently dried with a towel.
Aging with a gray tint using sulfur liver
First you need to prepare sulfur liver. This can be done as follows:
Liver sulfur (sodium polysulfide)
- mix sulfur powder and potash in a 1:1 ratio in a tin jar, put the mixture on fire;
- after the mixture begins to melt and darken, the sintering process begins;
- After 15 minutes, remove the tin from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
Now you can begin preparing the solution in order to begin patination and age the copper item. Mix 3 g of salt and 3 g of cooled sulfur liver in 1 liter of water.
Mix the solution thoroughly and dip the copper product into it. When the copper has acquired the required gray tint, you can remove the product, then rinse with water and dry.
Using a ready-made aging solution
This method is the fastest, since the product itself does not need to be prepared independently; it is sold ready-made.
Since the aging solution contains substances that are harmful to the skin, do not forget to wear gloves and safety glasses.
Brass Black Metal Finish for aging copper, manufactured by the American company Birchwood Casey
Different solutions may have different information about the quantities in which the liquid should be diluted, but you should always follow the instructions that are indicated on the label of the purchased product.
When the preparatory processes are completed, you can begin to process the copper product.
To do this, you need to lower the copper item into the solution several times at different angles so that the entire surface of the item is covered with the product.
It is necessary to ensure that there are no bubbles, since then light spots may remain in their place.
You should repeat this procedure until you get the desired color.
Overexposure or, conversely, raising the product from the solution too early is not a problem, since during overexposure you can treat it with a scraper, and if the desired color is not achieved, lower it into the product again. At the end of the process, the copper must be dried and varnished if the achieved result is to be secured.
Use of ammonia
Of all the products presented, ammonia is the most caustic substance, but it can age copper best of all and gives a brownish-green patina.
The disadvantage of using this product is that this gas evaporates, which is why it needs to be treated more often than with other substances.
To use this method you will need: ammonia itself without impurities, a sealed plastic bucket, small wooden blocks.
Patination or aging of copper coins
The ammonia application method consists of the following steps:
- Place the bars at the bottom of the bucket so that you get a small but stable platform;
- pour ammonia into the bucket without bringing its level to the upper surface of the platform;
- place the copper product on the wooden structure so that it holds firmly on the platform. If it falls from it, then you just need to take it out, rinse it with water and place it again on the bars;
- Close the bucket tightly and check readiness every hour. The procedure usually takes several hours. While checking the appearance of the desired shade, do not inhale ammonia vapor.
Drying, as with other methods, is a mandatory and final stage of aging. You can dry it naturally, without using a hair dryer or other hot methods.
It is not worth covering the product with varnish, since you will have to periodically remove it, because, as mentioned above, treatment with ammonia is carried out many times during the use of the copper item.
Application of ammonium sulphide
Copper must be placed in ammonium sulfur solution
In order to age copper, you can use the substance ammonium sulfide, mixing which with other substances can give the product a patina of different shades:
Set for aging copper surfaces from Idigo
- light brown - 5 g of ammonium sulfide solution 18%, 124 g of sodium dichromate, 15 g of nitrogen acid with a density of 1 g per 1 cm3, 5 g of hydrochloric acid are mixed in one liter of water. The mixture is applied to the product with a brush, washed off after 5 hours, and after drying, repeat this procedure 2 more times;
- dark brown - 9 g of ammonium persulfate and 50 g of sodium hydroxide are mixed in one liter of water. The solution is heated to 95 degrees. The product is immersed in the solution for 5-25 minutes, depending on the desired color saturation, washed and dried. The procedure is repeated 3 times.
The use of various other substances that help age the item and give a patina of different shades:
- golden - 1 g of copper sulfide, 180 g of caustic soda and 180 g of milk sugar are mixed in one liter of water. The solution must be heated for 15 minutes to 90 degrees. After which the product is lowered into it for 15 minutes, and then dried.
- golden brown with a raspberry sheen - 50 g of copper sulfate and 5 g of potassium permanganate are mixed in one liter of water. The mixture is heated to 80 degrees, and the product is kept in it until the desired result is obtained.
Useful tips
If you are not an expert in chemistry, then it is better for you to use ready-made means for aging copper or the simplest methods (using vinegar, for example). It will be more difficult for the average person to grasp the need for certain proportions and not make a mistake in creating the desired solution.
Golden patina on a copper coin
If you have experience in working with chemicals, you can try using the prepared solutions first on individual parts of the copper product, so as not to re-patina every time the result is unsuccessful.
Solutions containing any hypochlorite should be avoided, since this substance is very difficult to control at home and its careless use will have the most dangerous impact on health.
When using any method, you need to remember your protection: long gloves and safety glasses must be worn.
If you have doubts about whether a product is copper or not, you need to take it to an antique shop. A specialist will quickly be able to determine what metal the item is made of.
You can also check the composition of the product by holding a magnet to it. If an item sticks to a magnet, then most likely it is not copper, but just a copper coating applied to the metal.
How to polish copper
In this case, it is also possible to age the product, while eliminating rough processing.
: Patination of copper at home
Source: https://steelfactoryrus.com/kak-okislit-med-v-domashnih-usloviyah/