Clean The Ink From Copper

[dnascimento]

Hi,

I have a Liliput made of Copper. The pen is really really good. I love it. However, it (or I) has a problem: the pen gets dirty when my fingers are dirty. The issue is: most of pens are made of plastic or metal. Mine is made of copper. How can I remove the ink fingerprints from the copper surface?

[Tweel]

3M Tarni-Shield would probably do a good job. This link might help you locate it in your country, if you can't find it in the shops.

[dnascimento]

The color is really strange....

 

http://i58.tinypic.com/2lwp06u.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/ndvlmp.jpg

Edited December 17, 2014 by dnascimento

[c4bb0ose]

Your fingers are causing the copper to tarnish, give it a polish and it will be shiny again, it will keep on happening however since there is no protection on the pen.

[dnascimento]

How can I protect it?

[Algester]

you put laquer on it but I think after that the beauty of an aging copper pen is lost... Kaweco did say the the pen will tarnish like a copper coin and not like the statue of liberty green

[Tweel]

The Tarni-Shield I mentioned has a tarnish inhibitor in it, hence its name. On the other hand, you could do as Algester suggests and let the pen go beyond the fingerprint-y stage and form a complete brown patina.

[Write Again]

Working with copper pipes everyday, I love the aged copper look.

[dnascimento]

It's true! Now the pen looks much nicer! So all kaweco pens have the concept of getting unique with time... I thought this model was an exception. Cool!

[Algester]

if you want another Kaweco pen with attitude with time you need to get the ALsport uncoated aluminium (the silver finish)

[lordz]

you put laquer on it but I think after that the beauty of an aging copper pen is lost... Kaweco did say the the pen will tarnish like a copper coin and not like the statue of liberty green

yep. To make it go green, you need a lot of time. Alternatively, you can heat the copper to from a protective patina. If you want specific colors, such as the color of a new statue, look up bronze patination methods.

 

Best of luck!

[dnascimento]

The tarnish-shield worked, the pen looks brand new. I will use it shining for now and then let it get tarnished. The pen is amazing! Love it!