Author Topic: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire  (Read 10413 times)

Leatherneck

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Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« on: May 05, 2008, 01:34:53 PM »
How?

Some of the copper I've been hoarding for years came in the form of heavy-like 2 gauge-stranded four conductor wire. I "stored" it outside on the ground until cutting it up in 3-foot sections which I strip while watching the evening news in the shop. Rain water permeated the whole 200 feet over the years, and the stranded wire comes out clean but tarnished dark gray.

As I strip each bit I throw it in a bukkit. What liquid works best to simply take off the tarnish?

Bright copper wire brings a bit more at sanford & Son.

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charby

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2008, 01:36:44 PM »
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Brad Johnson

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2008, 01:37:07 PM »
Quote
Bright copper wire brings a bit more at sanford & Son.

Why?  Copper is copper, patina or no.

Brad
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Leatherneck

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #3 on: May 05, 2008, 02:01:31 PM »
Because junkyard dealers try to buy low and sell high.

I'm thinking common household chemicals like vinegar or something cheap like muriatic acid? Or do I want a non-acid solution? I can't remember enough chemistry. I believe the tarnish is either copper sulfide or copper oxide.

Chemists up!

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charby

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #4 on: May 05, 2008, 02:22:07 PM »
google-fu brought up this website

http://www.repair-home.com/Cleaning_Copper.html

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Leatherneck

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #5 on: May 05, 2008, 02:33:36 PM »
Huh. I hate it when Google provides the answer. Thanks though. That site seems to confirm my suspicion that acid is the answer. Yes?

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charby

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #6 on: May 05, 2008, 02:39:03 PM »
I remember dropping pennies in HCl and watching the copper get bright and the zinc dissolve away.
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Leatherneck

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #7 on: May 05, 2008, 02:42:19 PM »
So that's muriatic acid? Or is that sulfuric?

Oh crap--I'm gonna have to find the chemistry books...

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Sergeant Bob

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #8 on: May 05, 2008, 02:47:52 PM »
I know that you can clean silver using a container lined with aluminum foil, then put in baking soda, then boiling water. It's an electrolytic reaction, the foil will end up with all the tarnish on it. Don't know if it works on copper though.
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French G.

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #9 on: May 05, 2008, 04:01:59 PM »
Maybe try the cheapest generic cola type soda you can get or try the vinegar. Both will work, need a good rinse afterward or tarnish will return.
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280plus

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #10 on: May 05, 2008, 04:20:20 PM »
I'm not sure it's necessary LN. As long as there's no paint solder or insulation I believe it is considered clean copper even though it's tarnished. Call em and ask!
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Harold Tuttle

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #11 on: May 05, 2008, 04:23:49 PM »
lemon juice & salt
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charby

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #12 on: May 05, 2008, 05:20:31 PM »
So that's muriatic acid? Or is that sulfuric?

Oh crap--I'm gonna have to find the chemistry books...

TC

HCl= Hydrochloric acid

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Nick1911

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #13 on: May 05, 2008, 05:29:58 PM »
So that's muriatic acid? Or is that sulfuric?

Oh crap--I'm gonna have to find the chemistry books...

TC

HCl= Hydrochloric acid

 

Hydrochloric acid = muriatic acid

DJJ

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #14 on: May 05, 2008, 06:11:55 PM »
IIRC, vinegar and baking soda was what we used in elementary school science fairs to shine up old pennies. These were real copper, but they weren't so bad as to be gray.

Bogie

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #15 on: May 05, 2008, 06:24:02 PM »
This may seem a little strange, but get some industrial ammonia down at Ace Hardware... 10% stuff.
 
Dunk it, hose it, you're done.
 
Yeah, it'll eat a little. That's why you hose it.
 
And you can use the ammonia on your floors.
 
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crt360

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #16 on: May 05, 2008, 08:00:35 PM »
Tobasco sauce.  smiley
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Larry Ashcraft

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #17 on: May 06, 2008, 05:21:08 AM »
Phosphoric acid.  Just get some "Lime Away".  Phosphoric is the active ingredient.

I use the stuff on really grungy range brass, just make sure you rinse it well afterwards.

GigaBuist

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #18 on: May 06, 2008, 08:22:49 AM »
The local brewery has a copper covered bar.  They use vinegar to keep it shiny IIRC.

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #19 on: May 06, 2008, 11:51:56 AM »
Huh. I hate it when Google provides the answer. Thanks though. That site seems to confirm my suspicion that acid is the answer. Yes?

TC

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280plus

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Re: Cleaning Tarnished Copper Wire
« Reply #20 on: May 06, 2008, 04:59:49 PM »
I'm tellin' ya, before you go through all that double check with the scrap yard.  grin
Avoid cliches like the plague!