Copper Cleaner
 

I'm working on my dad's old trunk that he made during the 1940's. The edges are done in old hammered copper that I would love to restore. I've tried Brasso and today I tried a lemon juice and salt solution. Does anyone have a remedy to clean and shine this copper?? Wasn't ketchup used on copper bottomed pans?

I use a compound called "Penny Bright" It does great on my Paul Revere pots and pans. Makes them look brand new. I only do them about once a year as that is about what it takes for a couple of the to start showing a bit of discoloring. It is a creamy paste that you apply and let it set for a moment and then wipe off. Works great!

I use Bar Keeper's Friend or Kleen King, both powders, to clean my copper bottom pots. They work very well on a flat surface, but I'm not sure how well they would do on your dad's old trunk.

Definitely elbow grease time. Any metal polish will work, you just need to devote several hours to the task, especially if the item is very tarnished or blackened. I used Peeks metal polish to clean a lot of copper and brass items several weeks ago, and it did take me the whole afternoon to do it, but so satisfying too. I used plenty of polish on the cloth, in a polish on, polish off type action. I also used one of those cloths with polish embedded in them (like silver cloth) for the final shine. Now, I just give them a wipe over weekly to keep them gleaming.

Brings back memories... my dad used to shine the Revere Ware pots with his drill and a sanding attachment. They were beautiful.