Q. Hi, I just bought a set of pots with copper bottoms at a liquidation sale and just noticed that I need to remove the lacquer coating before using. I found your question on the internet. I was wondering what method you used and did it work. Thank you.
A. Try oven cleaner [on eBay or Amazon] or Marlena Bakers solution… acetone [on eBay or Amazon] mixed with ammonia [on eBay or Amazon] (25% – 1 part acetone / 3 parts ammonia) can be used too. Hope it helps and good luck.
A. Correct acetone ammonia mix: 1 part ammonia 3-5 parts acetone.Hope it helps and good luck!
Q. I have obtained two pieces of copper(outside) over stainless steel cookware. These are coated with ?. I tried to remove it with nail polish remover and elbow grease, but thats not working. What will remove this coating?
It is a clear coating to prevent tarnish. Ive received emails that mild detergent will remove this coating, ha, theyre wrong.
The skillet is a piece of Revere ware produced in the late 1970s. It is stainless steel covered with copper on the outside. To protect and keep it from tarnishing the company used ? to coat it. So this coating has been on this piece of cookware for over 20 years. I do not want to display this but use it. So I need to remove the coating. I have two other pieces like this that I bought in the 70s but cant remember what I used on the coating. Hope this helps.
A. How do you know that the coating is still there? I also have a set of Revereware of that vintage. After washing it, I just used it for cooking. Any remaining coating was probably incinerated! If you think the coating is still there because there are darker spots where the copper oxidized over the years (pin holes in the protective layer) and brighter spots where the coating protected it, just remember that the areas that were protected arent going to oxidize immediately. It will look measled until the protected spots oxidize to match the areas that were unprotected. Also, Revere makes a Revere copper cleaner [Ed. update 2023: no longer available] . You could try using that. It has a slight abrasive, but not enough to scratch. Takes the oxidation off the copper parts so you could make it all look the same.
• In pot large enough to immerse at least half of this item, combine 1 tblsp. baking soda [on eBay or Amazon] to each quart of water used. • Boil solution. Submerse item in boiling solution and boil for 20-30 minutes. The coating will soften & begin to peel. • Remove from solution and wash item in warm, soapy water, scrubbing with a Nylon scrubber to remove softened coating. DO NOT use steel wool. • Finally, clean with copper cleaner (available at supermarkets) and a soft sponge.”
A. I have had a set of the all-copper-clad-stainless-lined cookware, since the 70s, as well as many import pieces. In the beginning, we were told to NOT cook with it till the lacquer coating was removed. Cooking would harden the coating and super adhere it in spots – true. To remove that, we boiled the pot in vinegar [in bulk on eBay or Amazon] -awkward! Recently, polishing the ENTIRE collection, with desperate attitude of the old & cranky, I gave some a shot with spray oven cleaner [on eBay or Amazon]. BONANZA! Even 30 yr old lacquer moved! Does NOT hurt the copper! Followed up with a Paste Cleaner (not powder), polishing is fun again!
A. Boiling does work well. If the pot is large, you might have trouble finding a large pot in which to boil it. The finish is a kind of varnish. You can also buy a can of acetone [on eBay or Amazon]. Take the pot outside and use a rag to apply the acetone. The acetone softens the varnish. Then you can go inside and use Barkeepers Friend [on eBay or Amazon] and a pad to clean it up under warm water. The acetone is MUCH quicker than boiling and MUCH easier. Good luck.
A. Hi, This letter and several others on our site reveal that the coating is not so easily removed from 30 year old cookware. Whether thats because the formulation was different 30 years ago, or because the coating has cured for 30 years, the fact is that a more aggressive removal method may be needed on the old stuff.
Q. I have some unused copper pieces, still finished with a protective surface. I understand that this should be removed before use . I have a gas stove, so the intense heat would burn the finish to the copper.
A. The tip to use oven cleaner [on eBay or Amazon]! I just added a piece to my set of Revere Copper from the 70s and the new piece had the coating. It came off perfectly! Back in the 70s I was boiling my pans in baking soda, and this was so much easier. Absolutely no damage to the copper! Thanks!
Q. I just bought a copper pan. The website says it is treated with lacquer and needs to be wiped with acetone [on eBay or Amazon] before first use. I have done that – using nailpolish remover – however there was not really much of a reaction – I was expecting some stickiness or a layer of something to be removed. I want to be sure that if there is something there that I remove it properly so I dont ruin the copper when I use it. So, my question, how can I tell if the lacquer is removed, or for that matter, even there in the first place? Thanks!
This may not be the right answer for you or Ronna, but it may help somebody. Copper is electrically conductive and lacquer is not; so, you can touch the probes of an inexpensive VOM multimeter [on eBay or Amazon] at a few different spots to determine if the lacquer has been removed. Good luck.
A. I used Brake Parts Cleaner and it was instant. Just brush off the coating with a scrub brush. Do it outside and wear gloves.
Q. Tri-ply Copper cookware *display pieces* heavy lacquer finish both inside and out – warning not to use–can this coating be safely removed?
I am interested in the safest way to remove a commercially applied/ display purposes lacquer from a copper cookware set. Please advise of any successful techniques. Thank you. John Scully [last name deleted for privacy due to age of posting] – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
A. I wouldnt use it and dont think anyone anywhere will advise otherwise, considering the warning label. When this was clearly designed to never be used, who can even say that the lacquer is even the only problem? There is probably a benzotriazole [on eBay or Amazon] or similar treatment, and although this is probably of low toxicity, how do we know there isnt some more toxic material between the copper and the lacquer. Luck & Regards, Ted Mooney, P.E. Striving to live Aloha finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. If the copper pots are not lined with tin or other nonreactive metal, dont cook with them.
Q. Someone spayed a copper display item with a can of krylon matte clear sealer to try to protect it. But now it is dark and tarnished. What can I use to get rid of this sprayed-on sealer so that I can RE-POLISH the copper?
A. Hi Beth. Try lacquer thinner [on eBay or Amazon] first. If that doesnt do it, methylene chloride will if you can still find any (its very toxic, requiring goggles [on eBay or Amazon] & rubber gloves [on eBay or Amazon] as a minimum and working outside from upwind). If you cant find a stripper with methylene chloride anymore, or dont want to use it, read on for some other possibilities.
A. Try 3 parts acetone [on eBay or Amazon] and 1 part ammonia (25%) mixture. Use safety goggles and rubber gloves! Bad smelling but very effective. Hope it helps and good luck!
Disclaimer: Its not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an authors employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.
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Use acetone (or non-oily nail polish remover) on a cotton or wool pad to remove any remaining stubborn coating.
A. Try 3 parts acetone [on eBay or Amazon] and 1 part ammonia (25%) mixture. Use safety goggles and rubber gloves! Bad smelling but very effective. Hope it helps and good luck!
I am interested in the safest way to remove a commercially applied/ display purposes lacquer from a copper cookware set. Please advise of any successful techniques. Thank you. John Scully [last name deleted for privacy due to age of posting] – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Q. I have some unused copper pieces, still finished with a protective surface. I understand that this should be removed before use . I have a gas stove, so the intense heat would burn the finish to the copper.
Q. Tri-ply Copper cookware *display pieces* heavy lacquer finish both inside and out – warning not to use–can this coating be safely removed?
Q. I have obtained two pieces of copper(outside) over stainless steel cookware. These are coated with ?. I tried to remove it with nail polish remover and elbow grease, but thats not working. What will remove this coating?
Unlined copper should not be used for cooking, especially anything acidic (tomatoes, most fruits, vinegar, or sauces/condiments that use any acidic ingredients). The copper creates a chemical reaction with the acid that is considered poisonous, though the effect may be long-term. The exception is a copper beating or mixing bowl. The chemical reaction of the copper and egg whites allows for quick stiffening of the mixture and is not harmful since eggs contain no acid. And of course, dry mixing is perfectly fine in unlined copper.
When cleaning your copper, avoid using steel wool or scouring powders, even liquid ones like Soft Scrub. They contribute to the fine, hair-like scratch marks on the surface. Dishwashing liquid, citrus degreasers, and non-grainy cleaners are fine. If you feel that powders must be used, apply with a soft cloth and rub gently.
You may have heard of a technique for cleaning and shining copper involving a paste made of lemon juice and salt. This has the same effect as using a powdered cleanser ? it will leave tiny scratches on your copper finish. Baking soda does a better job of cleaning and doesn’t scratch when applied with a soft cloth. Lemon juice isn’t necessary ? it smells nice but has little cleaning value aside from cutting grease. In the same vein, cleaning copper with ketchup is a myth. It simply doesn’t work.
If you love the new, shiny pink color of copper, you’ll find you need to polish your unlacquered pieces more often. However, without the lacquer, your polishing chores will require much less elbow grease, as the tarnish or? patina comes off much more easily on unlacquered copper.
Usually only antique pieces or those made in the Middle East are truly tin-lined. Modern imports that claim a food-safe tin lining use a zinc-based alloy which is food safe. Tin and zinc-based alloy linings have a dull appearance. Many people prefer not to cook or prepare foods in copper that is lined with a dull metal especially if the origins and age of the piece aren’t known.
How Do You Remove Lacquer From Copper%3F
FAQ
What is the best solvent to remove lacquer?
How can you tell if copper is lacquered?
How do you remove film from copper?
How do you remove copper lacquer?
There are several ways to remove copper lacquer. Some of these methods involve using a baking soda solution, acetone nail polish remover, or commercial lacquer thinner. The technique involves adding a small amount of washing soda to boiling water, then dipping the copper object into it.
How do you remove lacquer from furniture?
Combine the baking soda and water in a pot and heat until it boils Use tongs and carefully immerse the item in the cleaning solution The lacquer should start peeling off, or you will see white scummy material floating on the surface of the water. Remove the item from the water and begin polishing it immediately to remove any remaining lacquer.
How do you remove lacquer from food?
Follow the instructions and repeat the process until all lacquer is removed, especially in small crevices. Make a mixture of Baking Soda and Water ( 1 Tablespoon of Soda to each Quart of Water) and bring to a boil. While still boiling, immerse the item. One half at a time if your pot of solution is not large enough to immerse the item completely.
How do you remove copper from water?
Use a pair of tongs, ladle, or spoon to remove copper from the water. Place it on a wooden cutting board or towel until cool. Create a cleaning paste from baking soda and white vinegar. Combine 3 parts baking soda with 1 part white vinegar. Apply the cleaning paste to the copper.