Cleaning A Combination Of Came and Copper Foil

by Ann Sirles
(Birmingham, AL USA)

I made a panel with a copper foil soldered center design and lead came borders.

Is it ok to scrub the whole piece with full strength ammonia like I do with all copper foiled pieces?

I plan to finish the center design with black patina. I still use your instructions for cleaning with ammonia but wasn't sure how
it might affect the lead.

And if that's ok should I do it before or after I grout the came and clean the panel with whiting?

Answer

Hi Ann,

I honestly don't know how the ammonia would affect the lead, but my instincts say it would not be good.

I would clean and patina the foiled piece before it was incorporated into the lead. For those little bits around the edge that are soldered to the lead, just clean them with a q-tip and a commercial flux remover like CJ's. You can then use another q-tip and touch up any solder around the foil that needs to be fixed up.

The lead part only needs to be wiped well before you putty. You do not have to wash it. Brush it well with a natural bristle brush when you are finished with the putty and whiting. The lead will turn a lovely dark color that will compliment the black patina on your foiled section.