Ask Your Copper Foil Questions Here

Do you have copper foil questions? Are you having problems with your copper foil work? This is the place where you can ask a question about any aspect of copper foil work and I will give you an answer or help you solve the problem. It's free and it's easy to do. Scroll down the page to ask your questions, or click here to jump down to the place where you can
Ask Questions About Copper Foil Work

If you have questions or problems that are not about Copper Foil Work, please do not ask them on this page.

Go here for Patina Questions

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And here for All Other Questions related to Stained Glass Work.

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Are you having problems with your copper foil work? This is the place where you can ask a question about any aspect of copper foil work and
I will give you an answer or help you solve the problem. It's free and it's easy to do. Just fill in the form below, then click on "Submit Your Question".

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

When Did Foil Replace Lead? 
When did copper foil replace lead?

Answer

Tiffany developed the copper foil technique in the late 1800s, so it's been around for a long time....

Lampshade Repair  Hi Sue,
I am repairing a basic lampshade where the foil seams have come away from 4 out of 6 panels, and the lampshade has collapsed out of shape. The ...

Water Prism  Hi I like your water prism and would like to make one.
My questin is if I choose to make a silver one should I thin both sides of the trangels before ...

Lifing edges  I am working on some beveled angels. I have finished the normal steps copper foil, soldering, cleaning, patina and lastly putting on the wax. When removing ...

Foil Not Sticking  I made my very first stained glass project and found that the foil is coming up on all of the edges. Can I just re-solder or do I have to redo it all again?...

Space Between Glass and Foil  I have terrible trouble working out the space to leave between pieces for the foil my pieces fit nicely till I foil, then yuk! spaces. I am not a foil ...

Using Old Foil  Does foil ever get too old to use? I haven't worked on a glass project for sometime so my foiling supplies have been in plastic wrap. Now when I tried ...

Eyes for Copper Foil Projects  Is it possible to place a bead of solder somewhere that is not connected to a solder line i.e. a dot for an eye or something like that.

Answer

A ...

Water Prism Step 9 ... How Do You Tin the Foil?  I think I am having problems with terms. I do not clearly understand what tinning is, and I am not sure how you would tin foil?

Answer

In the ...

Question on Ceaning Solder Lines  Is using Bronzo a better cleaner than using the industrial #92 scrub pad (which I can't seem to be able to find)?

Answer

Bronzo and the #92 scrub ...

Copper foil/solder question  Is it true you can't leave a foiled piece out in the air for an extended period (a month) or else the foil oxidizes and solder won't stick?

Also have ...

Soldering Problem  I'm running a finishing bead of solder on a foiled joint. The solder looks perfect until it cools, and then it is bumpy and sometimes looks like it had ...

Soldering Trouble  I have come to dislike soldering . Lemme give you a bit of history. I took this course in stained glass in 2002. I haven't yet made a single project, 'cos ...

Soldering Questions  Since I am quite new to the art I'm not sure what type of solder to use or the proper technique for using the iron. I've seen people slanting the iron ...

Straight Pin Size for Copper Foiling  What size (width) of pin should be used between glass pieces to give the appropriate allowance for the foiling? Do you use a specific length and diameter ...

Smooth Solder Lines  As background, I am a novelist and photographer who got into stained glass with the hope of turning some of my photographs into stained glass art. I am ...

Marks on Glass Around Solder Seam  Just found you. Very cool site. Thanks. My problem is after I have finished and cleaned and polished there are marks around every soilder seam.I take a ...

General Question About Lead Free Solder? 
I have a few questions in regards to using lead free solder and where I can get it from?

The problem I have is that I am wanting a leadlight design ...

Silver Back Foil Problems  HELP!!!

I have a terrible time getting silver backed foil to stick. I clean all of my pieces with alcohol before I foil, I burnish and check for bad ...

Sharp Points on Solder  I just made a ring box. When I did the final soldering my teacher (I've only been do this for two months) showed me how to make it look like antique with ...

Using a Table Foiler  I purchased a table foiler recently. I know people that use this brand and really like it. I peeled the label of so I don't have the exact name but is ...

Composition of Flux   Why do you need to wear a fume mask when soldering? What is the chemical flux compositon? Why does solder bond with copper foil when using flux?

Answer ...

Big Problems With Solder Pooling  I wrote you a while back about having trouble with the flow of my solder, it was pooling all over the place. I changed out the flux, the solder, even ...

Help, My Copper Foil Has Peeled Off!  My foil peels off the edge of my suncatchers, in spots when I tin them. I usually wash my pieces after I solder one side to prevent oxidation if I can'...

Solder is Pooling on a Foil Project   I just finished foiling a project and am experiencing a problem with laying down the solder. It is not flowing, but rather pooling. Meaning I have to ...

Soldering smoothly  I have been doing stained glass for a little over a year. My soldering is lacking in smoothness. I use 50/50 as my first pass and 60/40 after that. I ...

How to Clean Stained Glass Before Applying Copper Foiling  I know that I read somewhere that it is best not to clean the glass with windex before putting on the foil. What do you recommend? Thanks

Answer ...

Leaving Solder Silver On Copper Foil Project  I would like to do a copper foil project that I keep silver on the solder lines. (no patina) Does this alter your product at all? Will the finished product ...

Reinforcement for Large
Copper Foil Project.  I am constructing a large window (not to be exposed to the elements) that is 39" X 60", in copper foil. I would normally use lead came for a project like ...

Problem With Foil Lifting  After I finish soldering and wash my piece, sometimes I lift the inside edges up. What am I doing wrong?

How do I know when I need reinforcement?

Your ...

Copper Foil  Again, I love your site. One question, how do I protect the foil applied to the glass if I am not going to foil the whole project in one sitting. Also,...

Foil Trouble  Hello,

I am working on a piece that consists of 4 different clear, heavily textured glass. No matter what, I can't get the foil to stay on the glass....

Foil Sun Catchers  What or how do you deal with the outside areas in a sun catcher? I have the foil around the edges, but when I run a "bead' solder to create an edge it ...

Beading  I have just started stained glass and having problem with the beading. How can I get it right.
Many Thanks,
Margaret

Answer:

Hi Margaret,
Thank ...

Pattern Precision and Foil Width  As an engineer and woodworker, I appreciated your comments about the need for precision when cutting out the pattern and foiling. I have two questions ...

Storing Copper Foil  What is the best way to store copper foil?

Answer

Store it in a zip lock bag. Keep it away from high heat. Some people store it in a refrigerator ...

Trouble with copper foil sticking to glass  I am having trouble with getting my copper foil to stick to the glass. And before you ask, I have ground the glass, cleaned it well and also wiped it with ...

Question about Strength of Copper foil in Windows  Hi,

I'm making a large window project (5ftx5ft) and I was wondering about the strength of copper foil and what I needed to do, if anything to reinforce ...

Strength  I'm pretty sure it was on your website, but I can't find it now. I am wanting to do some larger pieces that should have some more srength to them. I ...

Foiling Circles  Is there a technique for foiling circles so that you don't end up with lots of overlaping of the foil?

Answer

If you are having a lot of overlap,...

Copper Foil Challanges  Years ago, I used a foil that was 98% waterproof for dimentional shadow boxes. I am considering going back into production but am out of touch with what ...

Copper Foil Is Coming Loose  I do my foiling exactly as you have explained, but sometimes when I get my project complete the foil starts coming off. It is so very frustrating so I ...

Problem with Reinforcing Freeform Suncatcher  I'm working on a freeform suncatcher in which the pattern designer recommends reinforcement of some kind. She states that she uses pre-tinned wire for ...

Chrome Finished Look  I want my solder lines to have a polished chrome look. How do I do this?

Answer

There's nothing you can do to get a chrome finish. The closest ...

Soldering To Patinaed Surface  I'm making an angel and in the pattern it has the wings built separately and then soldered on the back side. I have already put the angel together and ...

Suncatchers with foil  When I make a one piece suncatcher and surround
the edge with foil, then solder, the edges closest
to the glass are always rough, I have tried for
years ...

Glass Pendant With Photo?  Hey,

I am attempting to make a glass pendant with a picture or word behind the glass, I am using glass that is smooth on the edges and a lead that ...

Shelf life of flux and patinas   Hi,

I wondered if anyone knows the shelf life of flux, patinas and oils?

Thank you!

Answer

Hi Gail,

I don't know the answer, but I can ...

Shelf Life of Copper Foil  What is the shelf life for a roll of unwrapped copper foil?

Hi Lauren,

One to two years is what most foil manufacturers recommend. However, I have ...

Heron window project  Is it possible to do a 30x43 window panel using copper foil exclusively? I am not a fan of Lead came.

You website is awesome and very helpful!

Answer ...

Copper Water Pipe  How do I repair a small tear with soilder and flux?

Answer

I'm afraid working with copper pipes is out of my area of expertise. You would need ...

How do I Learn Reinforcement Techniques?  My projects are approaching 24"x24". I'm using a zinc border with these larger (for me) sizes. When should I start to consider reinforcement and where ...

How to Turn Brass Edging Black  I have just made a circular copper foil project and used brass edging to complete the project, how do I make this edging black like the rest of the project....

Applying Flux  Hi, I am a novice (literally) to stained glass (am awaiting the arrival of my order of tools, etc.,.); all I know about stained glass is from watching ...

Cleaning Flux off Foil That has Been There One Year  Hi Sue:
I started a bevel glass storm door (a kit)a year ago and then abandoned it.Both sides are soldered but around outside edge of a few bevels has ...

Copper Foil Peeling Up  I've noticed on 2 of my projects that a couple of places where the copper foil comes unadhered to the glass after I apply the flux. Am I putting on too ...

Corroding Copper Foil  WHY DOES MY COPPER FOIL CORRODE AS SOON AS I APPLY THE FLUX? I DON'T HAVE TIME TO EVEN START SOLDERING BEFORE CORRODING STARTS TO APPEAR.
THANKS,
MELODY
...

Copper Foil  If you are doing a fairly large piece, do you foil the whole thing, then soldier or do you foil a section of it and soldier? I guess I am asking how long ...

Not Soldering Foiled Pieces Immediately  Hi,
First, your site is fantastic. My problem deals with not soldering foiled pieces soon after they are foiled. Is there anything you have to do to ...

Foiling Inner Curves  I've been working on an angel suncatcher. The halo and the angel's face are both circular and the face fits inside the halo. I've had a lot of trouble ...

Soldering Irons  I think my soldering iron now gets too hot and the thermostat may be haywire. The solder got so hot on my copper foil that it melted through to the other ...

How Do I Hang Stained Glass Suncatcher?  Dear Sue

I have made a stained glass heart which narrows to practically nothing at the centre point where a loop should be attached. As there is virtually ...

Problem With Solder and Foil  I need to remove the outside solder and foil of a stain glass piece that I did....the outside foil that I solder is pulling aways from the glass.....how ...

Copper Foil Soldering Problems  When I go to solder the pieces together it gets clumpy and dirty looking and the outside edges are difficult to solder, what can I do to help this problem?...

Thank You  Thank you so very, very much for the information on using patinas!! I have been a glass artist for years and was just about to give up the whole thing ...

Wrapping Glass Nuggets With Foil  Hi Sue,
Actually, I have two questions.

I'm having trouble copper foiling nuggets. Besides nuggets being not very round, the copper foil really bunches ...

My Soldering Stinks!  I have bubbles and ridges on my solder lines, they look so terrible. What is causing this to happen? Do you think I need a new soldering tool as the end ...

Smooth Soldering Hints  Is it an art in itself, to make a smooth soldering line on a panel? I have made a number of panels and sun-catchers, but the soldering is very unsteady ...

Solder Nightmare  Hi Sue.

I was hoping you might have some advise on my problem before I spend anymore money to remedy it. I've been having issues with my solder for ...

Copper Foil Did Not Stick  I had completely finished a project and was cleaning it up in order to put the patina on it. I washed it in warm water, then put flux remover on. One of ...

Soldering Copper Foil  I want to know if the soldering copper foil it's dangerous. I talk about the Smoke welding. do you use some protection? I am worry about this.
I'm waiting ...

When To Use U-Channel Lead or Zinc To Frame A Piece  How big can a piece be before you have to go from using copperfoil and soldering to using lead channels to frame a piece? I want to make suncatchers and ...

Gap Between Foiled Pieces  I have a small gap between three pieces that have been cut and foiled. Can this be soldered any way, and will it hold? The gap is where three pieces meet,...

Ceiling Tiles For Copper Foiling  Hi Sue,

What brand or kind of ceiling tiles are you using for copperfoil pieces.
Thanks,
Sunny

Answer

Hi Sunny,

Hmm...that's a good ...

Oxidation Under the Foil  I have noticed oxidation under some of my foil. Because some of my pieces are clear, I can see underneath from one side or the other. At the time that ...

What Width of Foil Do I Use  I am doing a project that has small pieces of glass as well as larger pieces. Some pieces are considerably thicker than others.
Help....how does one ...

Copper Foil Cuts Fingers  I am fairly new at stained glass and have been using Venture 1 mil copper foil because it was given to me. I decided to purchase Venture 7/32 black back ...

Edco Copper Foil  Sue, I went back over your Copper Foil Tutorial, and I went to the site you recommended, A-1, but they don't carry Edco. Can you recommend a dealer (online)...

Copper Foil Mil/Thickness  Is one copper foil mil/thickness better to use for deep curves than another weight? Does that make sense? I've been using 7/32, and I'm "graduating" to ...

Tack Soldering  My instructions for my project is to tack solder another piece of glass onto another piece of glass. What does that mean and how do I do it?

It is a ...

2nd Side Soldering Problems  Hi Sue,

Love the site, so helpfull. Thanks.

I have a problem. I make pictures around 5'x3'. When I turn them over, the copper is either black or ...

Those Pesky Copper Foil Edges  Sue, I'm having an awful time with the outside edges of unframed pieces, particularly where pieces are joined. If they are not EXACTLY matched, the joint ...

Adding Wire Stamens to Flowers  I am working on a pattern that suggests adding wire stamens to the piece. (I am working on Daffodils). I have never done anything like this as I am fairly ...

How To Repair Copper Foil Once It Has Been Beaded  Hi Sue,

I've just finished beading my copper foil suncatcher (which looks pretty good after following your instructions!).

My problem is I have ...

Foil Lifts Off Outside Edges  I have trouble with the foil lifting off of the outside edges of my projects. I thought it was because I was using too much heat. I have tried keeping ...

What Makes Glass Crack When Soldering?  Hi Sue,

Can you please tell me what makes glass crack when soldering, as it's happened to me a couple of times and I'm not sure why?

Is it the hot ...

Copper Foil Thickness  What is the most common thickness used, 1.25 mil or 1.5 mil?
Thanks Karen

Answer

Hi Karen,

1.25 mil is the most common thickness.

1.5 ...

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