Refinishing copper table

[bonneyman]

Question guys: What's the best way to refinish and preserve copper objects?
Over the weekend I got some things that were my dads (he passed away in 2002), and one of them is a table my he made to hold his beer and TV remote. Three-legged curved legs, 2 feet high with a 10 inch round top - all copper tubing and plate. It has been stored outside and has lots of blue spots on it from water dripping on it. I want to shine it up nice and then clear-coat it so it stays nice. Maybe use it as a stand for a nice family picture or something.

How do you guys recommend I proceed?

P.S. Here's some pics. Looks like the tabletop is steel that's been covered with copper. Must have been for strength.

[J.A.F.E.]

I've always been partial to Brasso. Takes some effort but has always done a good job for me. Barkeepers Friend works pretty well. Might try a solution of vinegar and salt one cup of vinegar to one tablespoon of salt but it has to be rinsed off

[jabberwoki]

Yep, the alien nailed it. You may want to use a powered buffer though.
There is a ceramic coating for alloy wheels maybe it`ll work on copper to keep it protected?

[bonneyman]

I've always been partial to Brasso. Takes some effort but has always done a good job for me. Barkeepers Friend works pretty well. Might try a solution of vinegar and salt one cup of vinegar to one tablespoon of salt but it has to be rinsed off

I was thinking Turtle Wax polishing compound after a progressive finer sanding to around 600 or so. Then spray clear coat.

Or kethcup - but that's the vinegar and salt idea.

[fatfillup]

I like bar keepers friend.

[J.A.F.E.]

Waxing might work really well after it's all shiny. Good use for ketchup as well.

[Elroy]

I like bar keepers friend.

What's that ?

[fatfillup]

Haha, old Elroy turned me (us) on to Barkeepers Friend years ago.

Wonderful oxolic acid cleanser.

Tell Elroy thanks

[bonneyman]

OK, I'm finished with stage 1. Brasso didn't do much - even fine sandpaper left visible scratches. So, I tried Turtle Wax polishing compound and alot of elbow grease.    That took off the majority of oxidation and corrosion. Finished up with some fine steel wool. Not bad.
I've uncovered some dents and metal damage - not much I can do on that being it's several inches up a curved tube. So I've kinda given up on making it like a mirror and will just go fro clean and easy polish.
I gotta clean out the inner areas that are restricted, thinking about a Scotchbrite bad piece in there with a bent piece of plastic rod.
Here's what she looks like at this stage:

[jabberwoki]

Brasso is very fine and only good for the final polish.

[bonneyman]

Brasso is very fine and only good for the final polish.

10-4 I have some so I'll give it a whirl.

[jabberwoki]

Do you have an orbital buffer?

[bonneyman]

Do you have an orbital buffer?

No, but I have a drill mounted buffer/polisher wheel and a dremel polishing attachment.

[jabberwoki]

Perfect, when mixed with elbow grease it`ll provide a great finish.
If you have sanding scratches get some 500 ish grit wet paper and polish till you have a uniform surface with no deeper scratches then switch to 1000 then to 2000 keep the surface irrigated with water and a little dish soap. Then when you see only 2000 grit scratches wipe it clean and hit it with the brasso.

[J.A.F.E.]

That is a very cool table.