makeing copper look like copper

[trbomax]

Today Ive been installing a new water heater in the shop. Of course I didnt have all the fittings I needed,and the ones I had were all black and green from laying in a box for who knows how long. I went in town to the hardware store (yes there are some left!)  and he had everything I needed.He ask me why I bought new pieces when I had old ones and I told him "because they were ugly!". He thought that was funny and told me to take them home and clean them. He said to mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 tsp salt and stir well to disolve the salt.Dump the fittings in it and stir them around for a couple minutes,remove them and rinse well with water. I couldnt believe it. They came out shiney and cleaner than the new ones I just bought!I learned something today that has frustrated me for 50 years.
Now I know that we dont have copper fittings on our cars BUT we do have chrome plateing which in my case became green where the whatever got through the thin chrome and corroded the copper plate under it,leaveing little green specs all over.Tomorrow I am going to take my solution down to the shop when I work on the new tank and clean a stick if 3/4 "M" copper that I will use with rubber gloves and a wash towel dipped in the vinigar.Then I'm going to try it on my gauge bezelsand steering colume on the 28. I'll take pics to show what, if anything , happens.

[trbomax]

here we go! Can you pick the old fittings from the new?Of course not,these are ALL old ones!

[EDNY]

Another great tip!

Thanks

[themoose]

I like it!!!!!!!!!!

Moose

[62131]

Thanks for a new tip.

[trbomax]

  I tried it on my green steering wheel spokes.It took off the green but in the process the chrome was so loose that it came off to.The nickel under plate is still there though.

  It did clean the patina off the 3/4 copper stick quite well. I guess if you want to clean up your copperair lines or exposed plumbing in the shop its the ticket. not so much on our cars though.

[cocobolo]

Thanks for this.  Probably about 1/10 the price of copper cleaner.

[sixball]

How do you think this would work on an old copper radiator, especially the inside?

[woodremover]

ketchup also cleans brass and copper very good

[trbomax]

 I was thinking the same thing about the inside of my rad. I think I'm going to try it when the time comes,its really old,I had it built by a rad shop (where I worked) abot 50 yrs ago.Doesnt have any corrosion though,I was going to run it with the bbc,cant hurt anything.