How to clean salvage copper pipe

[LeftyStiller]

I just sourced some 2” copper pipe from a local metal recycler. Now I need to clean it. I have a handle on taking care of the outside of the pipe but the interior seems “greasy” in places. I figure the first step will be to degrease them all first, then I am using a rough AO coated 2” wheel welded to a 24” rod and am going to chuck that in a drill. Then citric acid or vinegar bath.

Basically, just reaching out to see if someone has a better way to clean the interior of the pipe.

Thanks,

Lefty

[EricTheRed]

20 ml citric acid + 20 ml lemon based dish soap and some water.
Soak a scrubby with this and pull it through a few times. Twist while pulling/pushing.
Cleans it up a treat

[LeftyStiller]

20 ml citric acid + 20 ml lemon based dish soap and some water.
Soak a scrubby with this and pull it through a few times. Twist while pulling/pushing.
Cleans it up a treat

Perfect. Thank you.

[Duffbrew]

Just like the rest of them said the best cooper cleaner is an acid. Think about it when you solder copper the flux is acid based. I think LeftyStiller had the best suggestion, acid with acidic dish soap should clean it up nicely and degrease it also. I'd sugest doing it 3 or 4 times just to be sure.

[Yummyrum]

Some stuff I have acquired was quite corroded inside .
One method I used was to stuck the Copper tube in a PVC pipe a little larger in diameter with a end cap glued on it . Filled it with Sulphuric acid diluted about 20:1 . IE , pour 50mls of acid into 1litre of water . ( never the other way … it explodes in your face )

Can use Citric , but Sulphuric is a lot quicker . .

Then I use a 2” flap wheel on an extension drill and run that through it .

07C9319D-0177-4F61-BAA5-31D2568B312A.jpeg

I guess I was lucky I was a Cabler for a few too many years and have long drill extensions , but not that hard to knock up .

If it ends up pinky Copper inside , its good to go

[LeftyStiller]

Some stuff I have acquired was quite corroded inside .
One method I used was to stuck the Copper tube in a PVC pipe a little larger in diameter with a end cap glued on it . Filled it with Sulphuric acid diluted about 20:1 . IE , pour 50mls of acid into 1litre of water . ( never the other way … it explodes in your face )

Can use Citric , but Sulphuric is a lot quicker . .

Then I use a 2” flap wheel on an extension drill and run that through it .
07C9319D-0177-4F61-BAA5-31D2568B312A.jpeg
I guess I was lucky I was a Cabler for a few too many years and have long drill extensions , but not that hard to knock up .

If it ends up pinky Copper inside , its good to go

I think this may be a mix that I will need.

[Corn Cracker]

They have round, wire fitting brushes that you could run through it and that would get the dirty top layer off and get you to fresh copper, follow that with an "acid bath" and you'll be good

[Saltbush Bill]

The cheapest copper cleaner of all is backset or dunder ,,,,,,both work extremely well, just as good as citric acid imo.
Use your imagination to make an implement / tool to scrub the insides of the pipe between soaks in backset or dunder.
It can be as simple as a scrubby stuck on a stick turned by an electric drill.

[Ben]

Use a base to degrease: purple power, oxy-clean, lye, dawn dish soap.
Rinse well.
Acid or abrasion to remove oxidization/corrosion.

[BlueSasquatch]

Great info, I've got a good amount of 2" copper pipe from when we re-did our bathroom in this 1910 house, they used 2" copper for the drain lines, including a very bizzare brass or copper Trap for the shower. Looks like a mini barrel. Drum Trap I guess.

[Twisted Brick]

I like Yummy's solution, almost as much as...

If it ends up pinky Copper inside , its good to go

Here's a recent similar thread with others' input.

[Deplorable]

A lot of great I put here. I'm looking forward to following your build Lefty.
Are you going to document it in a new topic here?

[LeftyStiller]

A lot of great I put here. I'm looking forward to following your build Lefty.
Are you going to document it in a new topic here?

Absolutely. I can’t thank you enough for the help.

Lefty

[LeftyStiller]

Well, I actually used a combination of all of the suggestions as the pipes were pretty grungy but I think they turned out nice. Pink and clean inside as well.

IMG_18042022_140253_(1080_x_1080_pixel).jpg

Thanks all,

Lefty

[Deplorable]

Enjoy it. You'll soon tire of cleaning and polishing and it will develop a patina You'll grow to appreciate. At least that's been my experience
Thats a fine polish job though.

[Twisted Brick]

Thats a fine polish job though.

Sure is. Nice enough to show twice!
.

Leftycopper.jpg

[LeftyStiller]

Deplorable,

I truly appreciate the help with this build. I will start a new thread and document it. I think I will only polish it once as it will be hidden behind pipe wrap.

Lefty

[Yummyrum]

I’d call that a win Lefty

[LeftyStiller]

Thank you Yummyrun.

[BlueSasquatch]

I need to toss my copper in a barrel to clean, Lefty since it's so fresh, do you recall a general ratio of cleaner:water and your duration? I have a 15 gallon barrel that I am thinking of filling up with water, mix in a healthy amount of citric acid and then drop the copper in, for like 24 hrs?

[LeftyStiller]

BlueSasquatch,

I used a 5 gallon bucket and probably put in approx. 2/3 cup of citric acid (just shook some in). I put enough hot water in the bucket to get the citric acid dissolves well then topped it off. I left mine in for 24-48 hours and it was both nice and pink on the outside and inside. Hope that helps.

Lefty

[BlueSasquatch]

BlueSasquatch,

I used a 5 gallon bucket and probably put in approx. 2/3 cup of citric acid (just shook some in). I put enough hot water in the bucket to get the citric acid dissolves well then topped it off. I left mine in for 24-48 hours and it was both nice and pink on the outside and inside. Hope that helps.

Lefty

Exactly what I needed to know / wanted to hear. Any chance you're gonna tackle an old dirty keg next?

[LeftyStiller]

BlueSasquatch,

Nope on the keg. For me buying a new one is the way to go. But cleaning stainless should be a whole lot easier. Put in a 6" ferrule in the top and scrub away.