Clear coating copper cleaning cuestion

[Bullet Bob]

I bought this whirligig, which evidently now is called a "kinetic garden sculpture", and want to clearcoat the copper - I have a recommended lacquer.

I know I have clean/degrease it thoroughly before applying the clearcoat, but am unsure as to what to use, hopefully someone here has experience and won't mind imparting some advice.

On a couple of different forums, I've read you can use isopropyl alcohol, brake cleaner, and according to one place Trichloroethylene, whatever that is. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[Rule3]

Trichloroethylene or TCE is what is found in the original CRC Brake Kleen, The Chlorinated kind, Red can also used in electrical contact cleaner. It is excellent degrease. Used to clean guns, non flammable.

Denatured alcohol works well also.


Lacquer Spray - | Krylon

 

[Bkreutz]

Personally I'd let it age naturally, I like the look of weathered brass/copper. I think anything you put on the surface will get broken down by sun, wind, water, and temperature changes and eventually start to flake, discolor, and peel.

 

[Aticus]

On a couple of different forums, I've read you can use isopropyl alcohol, brake cleaner, and according to one place Trichloroethylene, whatever that is. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Do not use trichloroethylene. That stuff will take oil and grease off of and out of any thing you put it on including your hands. Very nasty stuff. We used that when I was a teletype repairman you don't need it at all. Use the alcohol, cheaper and not nearly as nasty.

I agree with letting the copper age. The green that forms on copper will protect it for years and will never get worse. I also think it looks great. Our local airport terminal has a copper roof that was installed 60 years ago and just now needs to be replaced. That's after 60 years of midwest thunder storms and a couple tornadoes.

 

[Rule3]

Do not use trichloroethylene. That stuff will take oil and grease off of and out of any thing you put it on including your hands. Very nasty stuff. We used that when I was a teletype repairman you don't need it at all. Use the alcohol, cheaper and not nearly as nasty.

I agree with letting the copper age. The green that forms on copper will protect it for years and will never get worse. I also think it looks great. Our local airport terminal has a copper roof that was installed 60 years ago and just now needs to be replaced. That's after 60 years of midwest thunder storms and a couple tornadoes.

Wear Gloves. The original Birchwood Casey Gun Scrubber had it as a main ingredient. Browneslls sells it by the gal for metal prep before painting. Yes, it is a solvent. It's only nasty if you let it be. Follow any safety guide lines. How often do you or your Wife use Bleach or other equally nasty stuff? Muriatic acid in the pool?

TCE CLEANER DEGREASER | Brownells