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cleaning copper

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 2:25 pm
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

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 3:13 pm
by possum

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 3:39 pm
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?

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 6:01 pm
by Red Neck City Boy
I used a cylinder hone to clean the inside of mine...

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 3:14 am
by hornedrhodent
If you use dilute sulphuric acid a bottle brush will do the job.

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 10:39 pm
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

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:29 am
by Rudi
Hornedrhodent can you tell me exactly how dilute what percentage? thanks.

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:56 am
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%.

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 3:51 am
by Rudi
Thanks :)