Cleaning a copper tsuba

[Akitombo]

Hi,

 

Can I pick some brains on this board please.

 

I have a copper tsuba with a super patina to it, but at some stage black paint has been spilt onto one side.

 

I need to clean it off, but wish to keep the original finish.

 

Would paint stripper ruin it?

 

David

[Kai-Gunto]

Hot water! Use Your nails.

[Kronos]

I don't know what paint stripper will do but it may be a good idea to start off with warm soapy water and a used toothbrush, before moving onto a mild solvent like Isopropyl alcohol, again with the toothbrush and see if that manages to do the trick before using stronger solvents like paint stripper.

 

Edit: your nails are also a good alternative to the toothbrush.

[Stephen]

Before Strippers id wait for Fords take,,,he knows all the girls...er ....ooops...methods best.

[jason_mazzy]

ford posted about a paint stripper. I think the equivalent here is Stripeeze???? I'm sure he'll chime in shortly.

[Alan Morton]

Hi David,

Iv'e used acetone and nail polish remover to get rid of paint

off both iron and soft metal tsuba.

Alan

[Dr Fox]

What ever works, apply with a cotton bud, and only onto the paint.

Your hope is to remove the paint, not wash the whole item.

[Ford Hallam]

Patina on metal are unaffected by paintstrippers. They're two completely different chemistrys.

 

But if it's just a small area I'd use nail polish remover, as Alan suggested.

 

It's advisable to re-wax once you've removed the paint.