Cleaning copper pipe

[sunbeam59]

What’s the best way to clean a copper pipe that I want to cut and add a compression fitting to

The pipe is old with just a bit of emulsion paint on it

It's my cold water so I want it nice and clean, would wire wool do it?

 

[jeff the gasman]

What’s the best way to clean a copper pipe that I want to cut and add a compression fitting to

The pipe is old with just a bit of emulsion paint on it

It's my cold water so I want it nice and clean, would wire wool do it?

Emery cloth is best.

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

I use wire wool, and gloves.

 

[conny]

Fine emery cloth to remove the bulk of the paint and finish with fine grade wire wool.
As @DetlefSchmitz says, wear gloves when using the wire wool. It's a pain, (literally), when little bits get into your skin.

 

[RandomGrinch]

Scotchbrite - especially if you, uh-hmm, have a supply of it at work

 

[gas112]

wear gloves when using the wire wool. It's a pain, (literally), when little bits get into your skin.

Stop using fairy liquid and man up

 

[conny]

Stop using fairy liquid and man up

When I worked in engineering, my hands were so rough and hard I could hold them under very hot water, (+50ºC), and it felt warm. Didn't stop those little bits getting into your skin and start irritating you a few days later. But it's not a surface irritation that you can scratch as it's sub-dermal.
(As for Fairy Liquid, we have a dishwasher. )

 

[sunbeam59]

Excellent, I've cleaned it up nicely with a cheap scotchbrite-type pad and some wire wool

What's the best way to cut into the pipe without filling it full of swarf? I can't get my pipe cutter in as its too close to the wall

 

[polesapart]

Just flush it through at a tap afterwards. Don't let anyone flush a loo while you work.

 

[sunbeam59]

Just flush it through at a tap afterwards. Don't let anyone flush a loo while you work.

will that flush out the copper swarf if I use an hacksaw?

 

[CBW]

will that flush out the copper swarf if I use an hacksaw?

Use a round file or de-burring tool

 

[jeff the gasman]

Excellent, I've cleaned it up nicely with a cheap scotchbrite-type pad and some wire wool

What's the best way to cut into the pipe without filling it full of swarf? I can't get my pipe cutter in as its too close to the wall

Put your little finger in it while you are cutting it!
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[ianmcd]

Put your little finger in it while you are cutting it!
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we all know you put the little fella in there and had to wrap a sock around him xx