How To Clean Copper Bird Bath

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"Treating a copper birdbath"

An ongoing discussion beginning back in 2006 ...

2006

copper bird bath

Q. I loved my shiny copper birdbath. Mold had collected in the birdbath. I treated it with bleach. I must have left the bleach in too long. There are areas where my copper birdbath has turned green. Is there a way to get rid of it? And then, how would I treat it to prevent happening again? Thank you.

Terry B [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
hobbyist - Dallas, Texas
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2006

A. To remove tarnish try citric acid or better ammonium citrate solution (5%, pH 9).

As clearcoat try Everbrite [a finishing.com supporting advertiser] coating. Good luck!

Goran Budija
metals conservator - Zagreb, Croatia
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June 21, 2011

A. Try this non-toxic method to clean copper cooking pots:

Wet with white vinegar.
Sprinkle with table salt.
Rub with hand or soft cloth.
Watch the copper renew.
Rinse with clear water.
Repeat if necessary until copper is refreshed.

JH Edmonds
- Edmonds, Washington, USA
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July 2013

A. Hi Terry. Although I appreciate JH's household ingredients method, and recognize that vinegar plus salt is easy on people, it's extremely aggressive to copper, and seems to always leave the copper very raw looking and salmon colored, not copper colored. If you're unhappy with the look, you can use a brass & copper polish to turn it that warmer color again.

My own experience is that Revere copper and stainless polish is strong enough to work very quickly on its own, while not so aggressive as to give that ugly raw look. =>

There are endless clearcoats from the simple one that Goran suggested, to brass lacquers, to 2k automotive clearcoats. Best of luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, finishing.com
Ted Mooney , P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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June 28, 2016

Q. In regards to cleaning a copper birdbath, I usually use Barkeepers Friend, but am concerned as to whether or not it would harm the birds that use it. Anyone know a bird friendly way to keep it sparkling? (Mine also has a cascading waterfall). Thanks!

Lisa Kern
- Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA
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