DAM COPPER!!!! and tarnish

[maziarz]

I just milled some custom water blocks from copper and polished them up to 2000 grit and used buffing compound ( 3m finess it). However if you so much as breath on this thing it will tarnish over night. The oils from your hand when you touch it will make it tarnish in the shape of the finger print. can anyone recommend something to make copper's shine last.

[spldart]

Some good ole metal creme? Some cheap stuff like Weiman's at the grocery store...Did a nice job on my ole radiator. Just don't use it at the point the cpu contacts. Just cover that in a thin film of HS compound.

[Synthohol]

i second that notion! :)

[Skoob]

I wear latex gloves and use 2N hydrochloric acid to clean it. You have to keep those finger oils off at all costs f you want it to last.

[Gregorach]

2N hydrochloric acid is a bit over the top isn't it? Cola, lemon juice, vinegar, ketchup - any of these will do the job. The real trick is keeping the finish - copper will oxidise quite happily in air over time. Perhaps a layer of clear lacquer would help?

[Skoob]

2N is pretty dilute. It takes quite a bit of time before it irritates or burns your skin. HCL works wonders on copper with little to no effort. Just be careful to avoid stainless steel...:D

[mdzcpa]

A simple metal polish works fine.

[megatron]

I use Brasso, I never considered what effect it would have being under the layer of thermal compound. I shines it up nice too.