Cleaning / Plating / Laquering … Copper

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

I recently purchased a pretty little tray, in beaten Copper

The majority of it is very shiny, suggesting that it has been polished and laquered … there may, conceivably, be a plated top-coat.

As you will see from the photo, there are some patches where the surface finish is damaged/missing and the copper has a dull patina in those areas.

Does anyone know how these items were finished ?

… and how I might restore it ?

Note: There is no maker's mark

MichaelG.

.

The tray is of no great value, but I would like to understand the processs.

Edit: For general reference, here are the V&A guidelines:

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/c/cleaning-metals-basic-guidelines/

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 22/08/2018 16:07:20

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Hi Michael, Have you looked REALLY carefully all over it for a minute 'N' ?

Another pic would be nice..

DO NOT clean it…. IMHO

Martin

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Thanks for the reply, Martin

I can find no 'N' … but there are a couple of interesting design features that you may recognise.

Photos to follow, either tonight or tomorrow.

MichaelG.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Colour balance is a bit different for these two !

Distinctive features are

1. the upper and lower surface patterns are very different, and
2. the feet are soft soldered onto the underside

MichaelG.

[DalboyParticipant @dalboy]

When i did an copper insert into some of my work i polished it and applied an sander sealer followed by an Acrylic satin finish it still looks as good today as the day I made it. I have cropped a picture hoping it came out OK. The dark patches are from where I heated the copper before beating it and polishing the high spots so it was intentional

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Thanks for that, Derek

MichaelG.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

I have just found a remarkable website: **LINK**

http://www.oldcopper.org/index.php

Especially interesting to members of this forum might be Vin's list of technical articles, etc. some of which have download links: **LINK**

http://www.oldcopper.org/about_us/articles.php

MichaelG.

[Author]

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