How to Achieve Polished Copper

Dip a soft, clean cloth into copper or brass cleaner. Rub the moistened cloth onto the copper. If the copper brightens it is not lacquered. If it does not brighten it is lacquered and the lacquer must be removed. You will know it has been lacquered because the tarnish on bare copper chemically reacts to copper polish, so if nothing happens when you apply polish there must be an invisible barrier between the tarnished copper and the polish. Since copper is often treated with lacquer you should assume the invisible barrier between the copper and the polish is lacquer.

Remove lacquer from copper by mixing 1 tbsp. of baking soda to 1 quart of water boiling in a large pot. Immerse the lacquered copper in the boiling water until the lacquer begins to peel.

Scrub peeling lacquer from copper with a soft, soapy sponge. Don't scrub copper with steel wool or abrasive sponges because the copper will scratch. Dry copper with a clean, soft cloth.

Apply commercial copper or brass cleaner to tarnished or discolored copper. Allow the cleaner to dry and buff off with a clean, dry cloth. The cleaner will dry in less than five minutes. Repeat as needed.

Remove copper cleaner residue from crevices in detailed copper pieces by buffing with a clean, new shoeshine brush.

Spray copper not used to prepare food with a light coating of copper lacquer to preserve the shine. Allow the lacquer to dry for 15 minutes before touching.