How to Poilsh copper

[mathew11]

Hey again,

I have seen Mcstill say to clean with soapy water and steel wool, another states citric acid( which does work well).

Is there something safe to use to polish the outside? Just to keep it shinny for abit longer?

[Kimbo]

the problem with copper is that after polishing, the tarnishing process commences immediately.
i polished mine, then lacquered it and it still tarnished just from ambient moisture, sweaty fingers etc

[emptyglass]

Industial grade "scotch brite" for a brushed style finnish, cloth and rouge for a higher sheen.
But like Kimbo said, you will need to coat it with a laquer, or you will have to keep polishing it to keep its lustre
Brasso or Goddards works well if you go down that road.

[law-of-ohms]

Clean the still really well, then when running a cleaning run and its nice and hot rub some bee's wax into the surface.....

[mathew11]

So with all that done,

What type of laquer do I use?

[Kimbo]

I just went to bunnings and got a clear gloss in a spray can,
just ask if it is suitable foe metal/copper ;-)

[caveman]

copper polishing

[Hill]

That's some nice work caveman, do you put some kind of coating on after?

[MacStill]

That's some nice work caveman, do you put some kind of coating on after?

Olddog used hair spray to seal his copper at times, I've tried it too and was surprised how well it worked :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[caveman]

hey Hill
yep ya have to put a protective coating over the copper to stop it oxidising again .the hair spray method would prob be the cheapest option
or ya could go to bunnings or a craft shop and get a lacker that would do the job. The most important part of the process is after polishing is not to touch the copper with ya hands cause the oils in ya skin will start the oxidising again .Rubber gloves would be the go when handing the copper after polishing . :handgestures-thumbupleft: