herb
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 475
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Post by herb on Apr 25, 2022 10:28:49 GMT -5
Hi, my girlfriend has some older coils of copper wire that have begun to tarnish. Anyone have suggestions for removing the tarnish without messing up the temper of the wire so it can still be used for wrapping? For finished pieces that show some tarnish she tumbles them with some tiny ceramic beads (1 to 2 mm) for an hour or 2. It's a pain to do, so she'd rather start with clean wire. Yes, the finished pieces will tarnish eventually but people seem to like the shiny look and being told it will eventually patina like a penny rather that starting with a piece that has begun to patina
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 25, 2022 11:54:07 GMT -5
That's a great question! I have used slightly tarnished copper and just cleaned it with a sunshine cloth before use. But, as you say, if it is too dirty, you'll work harden it. I think I would still use a cloth but only a few times and then tumble polish the finished piece with stainless steel jewelry mix and plastic pellets. I have tumbled finished jewelry like that literally 1000s of times. I have only damaged a malachite (too soft) and a variscite (undercut the matrix).
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Post by vegasjames on Apr 25, 2022 19:25:37 GMT -5
I used to clean copper pennies with phosphoric acid, then scrub with baking soda.
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 25, 2022 20:01:28 GMT -5
Okay, I have to preface this with I'm relatively "new" to wrapping...but...
Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit
Copper anneals at 572 degrees Fahrenheit (starting)
So...with that being said...I personally would do this:
Pick a pot big enough to hold the wire. Boil the water. Crumple up some aluminum foil and put into the boiling water. Take a couple tablespoons of Baking Soda and add to the boiling foil soup. Dunk your wire into the pot. It will only take a few seconds for the tarnish to come off. I'd recommend tying a string or something onto the wire so you can "dunk" and remove easily. Place on a towel and let cool. They will be sparkly new in a matter of seconds.
I actually use this method to remove the tarnish from my silver or copper wire after I've wrapped the cabs. I know I risk "shocking" the stones and cracking them, but if I have them warming up in water prior to the dunk, it lessens the shock...
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 25, 2022 21:07:21 GMT -5
Extra fine (000) steel wool will do the trick. Use it to straighten the wire and clean it at the same time. Works a treat!
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Post by liveoak on Apr 26, 2022 6:30:49 GMT -5
It would work to use on your cut pieces of wire before use
Patty
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Post by liveoak on Apr 29, 2022 10:21:14 GMT -5
OK @jasoninsp can you explain the chemistry going on with the boiling water bath ?
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 29, 2022 10:25:28 GMT -5
OK @jasoninsp can you explain the chemistry going on with the boiling water bath ? Chemical reaction explained here. |
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Post by liveoak on Apr 29, 2022 10:38:30 GMT -5
Thank you hummingbirdstones, interesting it sounds like a electrolytic reaction. Guess if it works- I'll have to try it. But I don't think I have the guts to do a finished stone or jewelry item in it. But maybe,as jasoninsd suggested to put the wire or whatever in the pot & then bring it to a boil, so it heats up gradually. Patty |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 29, 2022 11:03:30 GMT -5
Thank you hummingbirdstones , interesting it sounds like a electrolytic reaction. Guess if it works- I'll have to try it. But I don't think I have the guts to do a finished stone or jewelry item in it. But maybe,as jasoninsd suggested to put the wire or whatever in the pot & then bring it to a boil, so it heats up gradually. Patty It works. You can put regular jewelry in it. I'd just stay away from pieces that have soft or porous stones in them and I'd do it like Jason does and heat the whole deal up together to avoid temperature shock. Then let them cool off the same way. |
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Post by liveoak on Apr 29, 2022 11:07:21 GMT -5
Then let them cool off the same way.
Thanks,
Patty
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 29, 2022 11:11:47 GMT -5
Then let them cool off the same way.
Thanks,
Patty
You can take the pieces out of the hot water and let them cool down that way. Won't take as long. The shock part come into play when you do something like going from really hot to really cold or vice versa right away. |
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Post by manofglass on Apr 29, 2022 11:20:09 GMT -5
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 29, 2022 15:30:48 GMT -5
OK @jasoninsp can you explain the chemistry going on with the boiling water bath ? Robin got to it before I did (thanks hummingbirdstones). I was going to say asking me that is like asking my how a combustion engine works...I don't know...I just know I press on the gas and the car goes! LOL |
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Post by liveoak on Apr 29, 2022 16:09:18 GMT -5
Honestly I should have looked it up, but I first thought it was something YOU cooked up  |
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 30, 2022 8:45:13 GMT -5
Honestly I should have looked it up, but I first thought it was something YOU cooked up  Oh heavens no. Growing up, my parents knew one of the only thing I was NOT allowed to have was a chemistry set! I would have made Beaker look like Einstein*!  *I know Einstein wasn't a chemist...but people would have had to Google Dmitri Mendeleev if I would have referenced him. LOL |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 30, 2022 9:04:33 GMT -5
Simichrome is good stuff, Walt. The best metal polisher in my book. Used to use it on my stained glass. For wire wraps or intricate jewelry though, a little tough to get out of all the nooks and crannies. |
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Post by liveoak on Apr 30, 2022 9:20:35 GMT -5
I should have added that the copper cream I've been using lately, washes off in hot water in the sink. That's actually what the directions call for.
Well jasoninsd I'm guessing that your parents got you a rock tumbler
Patty
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 30, 2022 9:28:24 GMT -5
I should have added that the copper cream I've been using lately, washes off in hot water in the sink. That's actually what the directions call for.
Well jasoninsd I'm guessing that your parents got you a rock tumbler
Patty
Nope. I just got into rocks two years ago. My folks bought me Lincoln Logs. I however, saved up my allowance and bought myself a fiberglass bow and arrows. I wreaked more havoc with that thing than I ever could have with a chemistry set! LOL |
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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 30, 2022 12:51:46 GMT -5
lemon Juice or vinegar will remove tarnish, maybe follow up with 000 steel wool or fine scotch brite. If you want more annealing before starting and you have a gas grill you can probably get them up over 550/575 for 15 minutes and quench quickly first before cleaning. If you cook with cast iron like me also a good time to re-season, afterwards of course.
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