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From: cmpbsdb@gitpyr.UUCP (Don Barry)
Newsgroups: net.cooks
Subject: Re: clean copper pans with ketchup!
Message-ID: <1365@gitpyr.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 9-Feb-86 19:27:59 EST
Article-I.D.: gitpyr.1365
Posted: Sun Feb  9 19:27:59 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 11-Feb-86 06:34:32 EST
References: <3996@glacier.ARPA>
Distribution: net
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology
Lines: 15

The cleaning action is due to the acetic acid in the ketchup.  It will be
cheaper and easier to simply use a vinegar-moistened cloth to remove 
overt tarnish.  Various cleaners containing thiourea will work even better,
removing tarnish in an instant.  But the point behind the abrasive copper
cleaners is the polishing action, which a liquid cannot provide.  The 
shine will be restored by removing the tarnish, but not the sheen.
You also might try ammonia - it will remove tarnish without etching the
metal slightly as acidic media will.

-- 

Don Barry (Chemistry Dept)          CSnet: cmpbsdb%gitpyr.GTNET@gatech.CSNET
Georgia Institute of Technology    BITNET: CMPBSDB @ GITVM1
Atlanta, GA 30332      ARPA: cmpbsdb%gitpyr.GTNET%gatech.CSNET@csnet-relay.ARPA 
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