EBay, Collectors, Flea Market & Antiques

Vinca

(51,235 posts) Sun Jul 2, 2017, 07:18 AM Jul 2017

Copper - to clean or not to clean.

I found a couple of nice, old copper pieces yesterday and I'm faced with the question of cleaning again. I buy for resale and this time it's a big, old bowl and a large planter. Both have a really dark patina. I can never decide whether to polish them or not. I'm tending toward leaving them alone. What do you think?

4 replies

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Copper - to clean or not to clean. (Original Post) Vinca Jul 2017 OP

Leave alone rock Jul 2017 #1

I think the beauty of copper is in its coppery glow. Demit Jul 2017 #2

What I have heard is to only polish silver. TexasProgresive Jul 2017 #3

Does anyone know a way to clean brass/tin? I have tried with vinegar bresue Jul 2017 #4

rock

(13,218 posts)

1. Leave alone

Reply to Vinca (Original post)

Sun Jul 2, 2017, 07:33 AM

Jul 2017

If the buyer wants them cleaned, he can do it himself. You can't unclean these pieces.

Demit

(11,238 posts)

2. I think the beauty of copper is in its coppery glow.

Reply to Vinca (Original post)

Sun Jul 2, 2017, 07:33 AM

Jul 2017

I'd say, polish the pieces then let them sit for a few days before photographing them. Unless you know for a fact that the pieces have historical significance, there's no reason not to restore the beauty of the original finish.

TexasProgresive

(12,329 posts)

3. What I have heard is to only polish silver.

Reply to Vinca (Original post)

Sun Jul 2, 2017, 07:34 AM

Jul 2017

Polishing copper, brass and bronze decreases their value, but what do I know?

bresue

(1,007 posts)

4. Does anyone know a way to clean brass/tin? I have tried with vinegar

Reply to Vinca (Original post)

Sun Jul 2, 2017, 07:40 AM

Jul 2017

but now I have spots and pitting. I bought an old spittoon and trying to clean it up.

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