In this post we’ll be showing you step-by-step how to polish copper the easy way. If you’re looking to transform your copper from a dull brown/blue into a stunning high shine, here you’ll find everything you need to know.
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This method works on all non-ferrous metals, including copper, brass and aluminium. If you’re working with ferrous metals such as steel or lead, check out our other blogs.
Before we begin the process of polishing copper, ensure you are aware of the following safety advice.
Firstly, metal poisoning: Copper is a toxic metal. And excess of Copper can build up in the body leading to ‘copperiedus‘. Normally this will only occur as a result of eating foods cooked in non-tinned copper pans, or long term exposure to copper via drinking water or work. Although it’s not something you normally need to worry about, it’s good motivation for aways wearing the appropriate safety gear. We advise the use of gloves, protective clothing, and goggles.
During this How to polish copper guide, we’ll be using the simple tools and compound supplied by Revive tool, but you can use similar tools and compounds.
Here’s our quick guide for How to Polish Metal the easy way. Please see underneath for a more detailed guide to polishing copper and other non-ferrous metals.
We’ll be using the £14.99 Copper Polishing Kit to demonstrate achieving the mirror finish on this old copper kettle. However, you can achieve the same result using tools and abrasives at home (see the kit lis you’ll need below).
If you’re using a different kit, assembled at home, or from your local hardware shop, here’s what you’ll need:
You will also need a standard electric drill.
The process of polishing copper to a mirror finish involves applying an abrasive compound (use the brown cutting compound) onto your copper surface using the most abrasive wheel in the set (which will be mounted on a handheld electric drill via the mandrel to seriously speed up the process).
This first step will remove the grime, oxidation and dirt from your surface, exposing a new layer of copper underneath.
Apply the brown cutting compound to the wheel by clamping the brown compound to a work-surface, then spin the wheel into the compound to coat the wheel in a thin layer of the compound.
Then work the copper surface with the compound coated wheel. Go in figure of eight movements and try not to dwell on one spot for too long (you don’t want your surface to become uneven where you’ve worn down some spots more than others.
Once you’ve applied an appropriate amount of abrasive compound to your copper surface, the trick is to move down to the next level of abrasiveness. So, change the course polishing wheel for the ‘medium’ polishing wheel and repeat the same steps.
Again, work the copper surface with the compound coated wheel. Go in figure of eight movements and try not to dwell on one spot for too long (as before, you don’t want your surface to become uneven where you’ve worn down or buffed up some spots more than others.
Once you’ve taken all of the dirt and grime from your surface, you should be able to see a nice copper colour coming through. But you’ll notice that it doesn’t have a mirror finish, yet.
This is where you need to change your wheel to the softest polishing wheel.
You’ll be repeating the same method once again, but this time you’ll need to use the blue polishing compound.
Again, work the copper surface, this time with the blue compound coated wheel. Go in figure of eight movements and try not to dwell on one spot for too long (you don’t want some spots to be shinier than others). Continue until you see a lovely even shine and a spectacular mirror finish.
If you get to the end of step three still see a few scratches, you can simply repeat the process again.
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It sounds time consuming, but if you have the correct wheels and compound, it’s a fairly fast and hassle free way of polishing copper. It took us 45 minutes to achieve this incredible finish on the copper kettle.
You can use this method to shine up any copper surface:
You can also use this EXACT method for polishing other non-ferrous metals such as aluminium or brass. Simply follow the how to polish copper guide above and apply it to any other non-ferrous metal for a stunning result.
If you’re polishing ferrous metals such as steel and iron, ReviveTool.com has kits for those too.
Moleroda employee Samantha discusses how to polish copper. Tips, techniques, and the equipment you’ll need to make polishing copper easy, and give it a stunning finish. You’ll find everything you need to know about how to polish copper below.
To provide an example of how to polish copper, we took an old copper fireplace hood and polished it up to create a stunning polished copper light fitting. You can apply this method to any form of copper.
How to polish copper you ask? Well, Lizzie and Rob have been hard at work constructing and finishing this amazing bedroom lighting arrangement to demonstrate.
It started life very grubby from years of being over a fire with a pitted and uneven surface. Cue Rob and some elbow grease.
To provide an example of how to polish copper, we took and old copper fireplace hood and polished it up to create a stunning polished copper light fitting. You can apply this method to any form of copper.
Copper is generally softer than other metals, if your surface is in a bad way like Lizzie and Robs copper hood you will need to start with an abrasive, dependent the on condition, anything between 180g & 400g is a good starting point.
Rob used an angle grinder for the whole process and started with a 100mm Red Unitized Wheel to remove surface dirt and smooth out the hammered finish. Unitized wheels are great for smoothing surfaces, they cut and blend metal but leave a brighter surface finish than other abrasives or cutters.
This was then followed by a 4” Superior Brown Lap Disc Mop to prepare the surface and remove residual dirt.
Once you have prepared your surface, start your polishing with mops and compound. Rule of thumb with compounds, dark ones are abrasive and pale ones are for finishing.
Start with a dry sisal if you have scratches to remove. Spin the mop against the cutting compound to load. See Rob’s handy way to fix the compound to the worktop!
Work over the metal ensuring you keep moving not staying in any one place for too long.
Move on to the white stitched mop. At this point, you can either use a cutting compound or polishing compound.
Finally, use the WDR mop with either the finishing compound to bring the finish up to a high shine.
To clean up dip a soft lint-free cloth in the Vienna lime and wipe over the metal. It will remove the polishing haze and bring the finish up to a high shine.
Moleroda manufactures and supplies equipment for polishing and finishing all types of materials. Here’s our top picks for getting the best finish when polishing copper.
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