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Brenda asked: I used a copper cleaning solution on a copper sink that had some green spots on it, but the cleaner seems to have taken off some of the finish. I am thinking (too late) that it has a lacquered finish. Is there anything I can do to restore it? Thank you.
A copper lacquered item should not be cleaned with anything other than warm water, as cleaners, even mild ones, can damage the lacquer. Most experts agree that once the lacquer finish is damaged, it cannot be restored. You should, however, be able to strip the lacquer from the copper sink and even up the appearance. Here’s what you need to do.
You Will Need:
- Lacquer Thinner
- Copper Cleaner
- Soft cloths
- Warm water
- Mild soap
Steps to Remove the Lacquer:
- Use a soft cloth to apply the lacquer thinner to the coated copper.
- Immediately wipe clean with a second cloth.
- Repeat until all of the lacquer has been removed.
- Next, wash the sink out with warm, soapy water.
- Finally, clean with a copper cleaner. Follow all label instructions.
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Additional Tips and Advice
- Pay particular attention to cracks or crevices when removing lacquer. If you have a decorative design imprint in your sink, the area may be particularly hard to strip.
- Follow all precautions for the use of lacquer, including gloves and/or eye protection as indicated.
- If the results are not to your satisfaction, it’s time to call in a professional.
How long before it will just turn a dark color because of exposure to air?
Mary,
The time it takes an item to tarnish varies based on a variety of factors: is the surface clean or are there finger oils or dirt on it, how much humidity is in the air, how much water is it exposed to regularly, how mch air flow does the area recieve, etc. Unfortunately, there’s no way to give a time estimate.
Source: DoItYourself.com – 5 Things that Cause Copper to Tarnish