Polishing copper

[emroyjewels]

What's the best way to polish copper and get that lovely warm orangey colour? I'm starting with copper sheet, which has a nice patina to it, stamping and then oxidising.

When I try and polish with a pro polish pad (which does wonders for silver!), it adds a greyish tinge to the copper, and removes that lovely warm layer.

What should I be using instead to get that high shine?

Updated to add: I only have my hands, no fancy tools like polishing motors and the like, so need something I can do manually, even if it takes hours!

Many thanks!

[Dennis]

Your grey tinge might be just residual polish, so try washing with detergent or liquid soap. Following your post I tried Brasso wadding and that worked well. for a duller finish I can also suggest a wet and soapy brass brush which will leave the recesses patinated. The kind they sell in shoe repairers will do. Please let us know the result, Dennis.

[emroyjewels]

Thanks Dennis, I hopped along to Wilkinsons and bought myself some brasso wadding. It polished the copper, so it's definitely all clean and shiny.

BUT it's still a paleish grey-orange, rather than the deep orange I was trying to get back to.

I'm not sure if it's just me, because hubby thinks it looks pretty, and my camera makes it look a lovely colour, but its still much paler than it was when I first started!

It's pretty, and servicable and I'm sure my customer will love it, but the perfectionist in me is disappointed I can't work out how to get that elusive orange shade. I'm scared to post a picture because you'll all think I'm a loony as I know my camera makes it look good, but it's not right for me. Argh!

[wheely]

Personally I think it's cute, and looks lovely and shiny. I know what you mean though about the frustration of not achieving the finish you want.

[Di Sandland]

application of heat would 'redden' it up a bit

[mizgeorge]

it will darken very quickly if you just leave it in air for a little while. When it reaches the shade you like, a quick coat of renaissance wax will help stop it from oxidising further. I avoid heating finished pieces it as it can soften the metal too much in the process.

[Dennis]

As Geoge says, just wait until tomorrow. In the mean time I'll collect my commission from Reckitt/Brasso. Kind regards, Dennis.

[Sheltie]

Depending on the effect you want you can also polish copper with a silver cloth, It gives a really warm burnished look to the copper

[MuranoSilver]

I think that looks fabulous
Nic x

[emroyjewels]

I think that looks fabulous
Nic x

Thanks Nic!

Patience = not one of my virtues! It doesn't look any better today, but I'm going to leave it til tomorrow in the hope it will improve, and then wax it whether its my idea of perfection or not as customer is waiting.

I know the customer will still love it because she doesn't know the exact shade of orange I'm aiming for, but the perfectionist in me is a little hehe.