Removing Dried Plaster from Copper Pipe

[TheJay]

Hello there, can someone please recommend the best way to remove dried on plaster from copper pipe? We just had our kitchen re-skimmed and the copper pipes are a real mess. We are about to start painting but can't do this until all traces have been removed.

Has anyone else encountered this problem and how did you resolve it?

I must advise it is not possible to replace the copper pipe due to where it goes into the ceiling.

 

[BigSnoopy01]

A scraper of some kind would do, some sand paper or wire wool to buff up before adding paint

 

[TheJay]

Okay, thank you very much for your suggestion. Seemed like one of the more obvious ones but I wasn't sure if there was a better way.

I had considered using brick acid but I am not sure whether this would cause the pipe to corrode.

 

[BigSnoopy01]

Brick acid will attack the copper and turn it green/ black

 

[dilalio]

Back of a Stanley blade (in the knife obviously) to get large chunks off then as above: sand paper, wire wool, abrasive pipe cleaning strips which will give a key for the paint!

 

[JohnD]

I find that wetting it thoroughly (use a small paintbrush) softens it so it scrapes off easier. It is also cleaner as it makes less dust. Once wet, a green pan scourer gets most of it off.