When copper has been exposed to the elements, its surface will develop a layer of copper oxide. This can make the object appear dirty and is just plain unattractive, so many people look for ways to remove the layer of oxide. There are a number of chemicals that can be used to treat affected copper; the term ‘pickle’ is one used by metalworkers to describe the solution that is used to remove the oxide.

Step 1: In a plastic bucket, mix together about half a kilo of sodium bisulfate with about 4 litres of water. Together, this creates sulfuric acid and is what you will use to ‘pickle’ your copper. Make sure that you’re wearing safety glasses and chemical-resistant gloves to protect your skin.

Step 2: Take a piece of copper wire that you have twisted into a handle and hook it onto the object that you wish to ‘pickle’. Dunk the object into the solution and leave to soak for between 5 and 10 minutes, or until you feel that the metal has bee cleaned.

Step 3: Using the handle you made, remove the copper from the solution and give it a good rinse to remove any remaining acid. You can then hang the object up by the handle in a well-sunned area so that it can dry.

If you cannot get your hands on any sodium bisulfate, you should be able to find it at any swimming pool supply store. When working with this harmful chemical (especially when in its liquid sulfuric acid form) you should ensure that you are wearing protective clothing and that you are in a well-ventilated area to avoid breathing in the harmful vapours.

If you have time and tools, you can earn extra money by collecting and selling scrap copper wires. But for that you should know the ways to prepare them for sale. It is not hard to get copper wires around, but they cannot be sold in their original form. They have to be prepared by removing the insulation. Though the task is labor-intensive and time–consuming but can add value to your scrap. Here is a step solution to remove insulation of the scrap wire.

Step 1: If you have long pieces of copper wire, hold its one end in a vice, then using a pocket knife slice the insulation and peel them off. For smaller pieces of wire, use wire stripper to peel off insulation. But make sure when you are doing this, you wear gloves.

Step 2: Keep a watch on price offered in the commodity as they fluctuate broadly. Sometime rate changes within a month. So keep an eye.

Step 3: When you have enough amount of scrap to sell, find a local scrap processing specialist having certified scales.

Step 4: Carry your picture ID while visiting the buyer. These days, buyers ask for IDs to discourage copper theft which have increasingly become common in recent times.

Make sure when you are collecting copper scrap you store them in a safe place. If you are storing them in your garage, ensure you keep it locked all the time. Collect a large amount of scrap copper wire and wait till the price really goes high, so that you get a good return.