Cleaning Copper?

[CastIronCook2]

The hand-hammered copper sink in the kitchen of our mountain cabin (the indoor kitchen, not the outdoor one) is a show-stopper, but it's a real chore to keep clean. Hubbest doesn't want to seal it, but I no longer want to spend half an hour scrubbing it after each use, either.

Barkeeper's Friend works, but it takes a lot of elbow grease. Does anyone know of a gel-type product I could apply when I'm through with the dishes, then come back in half an hour and wipe off, taking the discolorations along with it?

[NCLee]

Don't know about a gel. Sorry.

I've used a paste of lemon juice and coarse salt to clean copper pans. Try some bottled juice and kosher salt. Rub it on, wait a few minutes, then wipe it off. Do a small test spot first, to see if it works for you.

Lee

[CastIronCook2]

Lee, thanks for the response. It sounds worth a try. Now let's see, do we have any bottled lemon juice around here...?

[PaulNKS]

CastIron,

I use a metal product called M A A S Metal Polish. I bought it for use in restoring old straight razors, but it is supposed to work equally well on copper. I think it is about the best metal cleaner and polish I've ever used.

I just tried it on a piece of old tarnished copper pipe. It worked like a charm. It doesn't take any elbow grease. You put it on and rub it off before it dries and one small tube goes a very very long way.

Here's the link to their website:

M A A S Metal Polish (http://www.maasinc.com/)

Hope it works well for you. It is very popular with people that "restore" metals of all kinds.

[CastIronCook2]

Bingo!
Thanks, Paul!

[CastIronCook2]

Wow, the hubbest is gonna love that for all the farkles on his Harley. I may have to buy two tubes.

[PaulNKS]

ROFL... you may want to wait until you try a tube. It really does go a long way. I've had my tube for over a year. When I use it on old straight razors to remove rust and such, I use my Dremel tool with a "buffing" pad. I dip it in the tube and turn it on!..... When I do run out of buffing pads, I use an old rag with latex gloves. It works great and doesn't really take any serious scrubbing or a lot of elbow grease. Just put a dab on the rag and rub it in until the copper sparkles like new.

I would love to afford a copper sink. I stayed in a cabin once that the sink was copper and the counter tops were also copper. I thought it looked great and knew that someday that was what I wanted. Someday hasn't arrived yet.:sad: LOL

[CastIronCook2]

Our copper sink is set in beautiful concrete countertops younger stepson made for us. I think this big, deep, double handhammered copper sink was made in Mexico. You can see every mark of the craftsman's hammer. Hubbest loves to tease admirers by claiming he got it for $15 at a flea market because of all the dents.

It did cost more than stainless, but along with the soapstone stove I talked Hubbest into, it's been one of those outstanding purchases whose pleasure has endured long past when its cost was forgotten. Still, it's a b**** to keep sparkling.

[PaulNKS]

I can imagine how hard it is to keep looking good. The one I saw didn't have the "hammered" look to it.

I'll make you a deal. If you order the MAAS and don't like it, I will buy it from you and pay the postage to get it. LOL That's how much I think of this.

[CastIronCook2]

Now there's a copper-clad guarantee if I ever saw one. It isn't on Hubbest's radar screen, so I think I'll surprise him with it. I think it would also be useful in his knife-making endeavors.

[PaulNKS]

You bet. If he makes knives, he'll sure like this.

[johnny]

I have both copper and SS and use nothing but Oxy-Clean on both. They sparkle like new. Used it on my Gold Wing also back when I could get my leg over it--ha. When I couldnt any more then I sprayed that dude down and wiped it off and sold the shiny sparkling critter--ha.
Most times there is no need for scrubbing--just spray it on and watch the dirt and grime run off. WalMart and them all sell it. Cleans anything and am never without in my place. Cheap too!

[CastIronCook2]

Johnny, the hubbest keeps by his computer a greeting card picture showing a fellow rowing serenely along, oblivious to the mammoth shark approaching him from behind. I think his riding buddies are aware of that shark, too, for this past June they signed on for a 2-wheel tour of the beautiful Oregon coast. One flew in from Brazil, one drove from Ohio, and another lives right down the road.

Well, sir, those four came back happier than a litter of pups, grinning from ear to ear. Gather ye farkels while ye may, say I. I know you must remember your own riding days with great joy. I hope you got a good price for that Gold Wing.

I'll sure take a lot at that Oxy-Clean stuff.