cleaning copper

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Kina
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cleaning copper

Post by Kina »

An oldie but a goody. I have some used copper pipe I wish to use for a new still head and a parrots beak and to clean & polish up the out side is easy enough the inside of the pipe is a different matter. This pipe has been only used in a domestic water system and should not have any real nasties in it, but would like to clean it up prior to and after fabrication.I have heard that vinegar is good... used Stainles Steel in my last still first time with copper.
Cheers Kina
possum
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Location: small copper potstill with limestone water

Post by possum »

Hey guys!!! Watch this.... OUCH!
Fretman124
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Post by Fretman124 »

for my 2" column I use a SS scrubber on a drill mounted shaft. Get the pipe wet, add some barclean and run it at high speed down the inside. Makes it look like brand new. For the condensor, I use a coarse piece of scotch pad tied to a piece of cord. Barclean, water and pull the piece thru several times.

As for cleaning my mesh.....haven't found anything that works. Soaked it in vinegar, still dark colored. Any ideas?
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Red Neck City Boy
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Post by Red Neck City Boy »

I used a cylinder hone to clean the inside of mine...
hornedrhodent
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Post by hornedrhodent »

If you use dilute sulphuric acid a bottle brush will do the job.
trippvc

Post by trippvc »

i ran a cpl gallons of cheap wine thru mine, had it clean as a whistle. used a wire wheel on the outside. tripp
Rudi
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Post by Rudi »

Hornedrhodent can you tell me exactly how dilute what percentage? thanks.
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hornedrhodent
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Post by hornedrhodent »

Rudi wrote:Hornedrhodent can you tell me exactly how dilute what percentage? thanks.

I think the stuff I bought from the battery shop was 20% - I dilute it about 10:1, so say 2%.
Rudi
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Post by Rudi »

Thanks :)
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