Cleaning Copper Pipes

[Jupiter01]

Hi,

I have some copper pipes on show and they have some cement and paint on them. It's gone on in the last 2 weeks. Any suggestions on how I can clean this up?

 

[OwainDIYer]

Chip off the big lumps with a chisel.

Your local supermarket sells 'Brillo pads'. Rub the pipe gently with the 'Brillo pad' and a little water until it's clean, then wipe over with a clean paper towel dampened with 'Brasso' and finish with a clear lacquer.

 

[Jupiter01]

wont the brillo scratch the pipes?

 

[JohnD]

I like the green nylon scouring pads, used wet with water. You keep rinsing them in a bucket to remove gritty particles.

 

[halfway]

Get the person who deposited that stuff on them back to clean them. It is difficult to get that nice finish after they have been covered in cement.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Wire brush then patination oil.

That's how this is /will be done... All be it the wire brush was attached to a drill.

 

[Echo the husky]

If you can't see your face in it, it's not polished enough.

 

[Echo the husky]

BTW I use Bakobrite/paste polishing No.5 to get the worst of the dirt/paint/scratches out, then finish with Brasso and a soft cloth. I use the kettle above daily and it's a nightmare to keep it looking like that.

 

[Madrab]

I have some copper pipes on show and they have some cement and paint on them. It's gone on in the last 2 weeks. Any suggestions on how I can clean this up?

What kind of finish do you want? Just cleaned up or polished and kept that way?
Big blobs of cement would need physical removal, screwdriver/small hammer to gently tap that off, the rest with wire brush attachment. Paint can be removed with solvents/sandpaper etc depending on how thick it is.
Polishing, then I'd use wire brush attachment as Dan, then change for a cotton buff pad, rubbing compound and wipe clean, then T Cut to polish. Brasso/T cut in the future to keep it that way.

 

[dilalio]

Wire brush then patination oil. View attachment 99750
That's how this is /will be done... All be it the wire brush was attached to a drill.

How do you fill and drain that Dan?

 

[Dan Robinson]

it was a bog roll holder for the honourable outlaws..... They were looking at posh ones for £300, I was taking the pish

 

[dilalio]

it was a bog roll holder for the honourable outlaws..... They were looking at posh ones for £300, I was taking the pish

I know what it is! I was taking the pish too

I actually quite like it - you could sell them quite easily - had to make a kitchen mixer tap out of copper and brass for a very rich Jewish lady last year - she paid me handsomely for it - would post a picture but that phone went into a CWS tank!

 

[Nozzle]

Brick acid with a small paint brush to get the worst of the cement gone (USE GOGGLES!!), then wash down with plenty of water. Then a strip of fine emery cloth to get the right finish, perhaps finish off with some Autosol (good stuff)

Nozzle

 

[Echo the husky]

Mirror finish is so much nicer! 15mm pipe.

 

[Jupiter01]

Thanks for all the advice. As it happens, I have some patination oil and will give this a go tomorrow