Cleaning Stubborn Fingerprints off of Copper Plating

[cwbrandenburg]

I’m having trouble getting some fingerprints and other marks off of my copper plating. I’ve tried white vinegar and acetone, and they won’t budge. I also tested some 0000 steel wool, but it was leaving some scratch marks so I didn’t go any further with that.

 

Any suggestions?

[Dr PR]

The fingerprint is a type of corrosion caused by a chemical reaction on the surface of the brass/copper. These sort of stains can be hard to remove.

 

A simple way to clean brass/copper coins that I used as a kid is to put on a drop of vinegar and then add baking soda. Use a tooth brush to scrub the metal. It fizzes and the baking soda acts like a polishing grit.

 

If that doesn't work you can try using a polishing rouge. You can apply it by rubbing with a clean soft cotton cloth or by using a buffing/polishing wheel on a motor tool. The rouge will remove the fine scratches caused by the #0000 steel wool - just keep rubbing!

[cwbrandenburg]

Success! I happened to have some polishing compound in my Dremel kit, and it took it right off. Thank you very much!

[Dr PR]

For future reference. In my early college days (back in the Dark Ages) at a land grant university I had to take two years of Army ROTC. Part of our cannon fodder training was learning how to polish shoes and brass belt buckles. I guess it really impresses an enemy to find a corpse with polished brass!

 

We used something called "Brasso" to polish the brass belt buckles, buttons and collar insignia. It apparently was composed of a solvent that dissolved oxides and a fine polishing compound. We rubbed it on with cotton and the brass shined up quickly.