Staining during tumbling

Welcome to our Antique Bottle community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Jake2150

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2020
Messages
90
Reaction score
198
Points
33
I’ve been having issues with staining after tumbling, seems like mostly inside the bottle. I’ve backed way off on the polish and now instead of green stain I’m getting orange. I’m thinking it’s oxidation off the copper? Has anyone ran into this and found a solution?

Thanks
-Jake
 

bottle-o-pop

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2015
Messages
162
Reaction score
101
Points
43
I haven't yet tried a tumbler for bottles, but I'm puzzled by these colors.

Copper in its +1 valence state forms, with oxygen, Cu2O oxide, which is a yellow-to-red colored compound.
Almost all other compounds of copper are blue, green, or colorless.

According to Wikipedia, the yellow-to-red Cu2O will dissolve into a colorless compound in concentrated ammonia solution. This might be a way to get rid of it, if it is Cu2O that you're getting.

Most copper +1 valence compounds are colorless, except for the yellow-to-red Cu2O.

Copper in its +2 valence state is black CuO.

Most copper +2 valence compounds are green or blue, except for its black oxide CuO.

So, if you got green with the polish, then the copper was reacting (with its +2 valence) to something in the polish (or, less likely, something stuck on your bottle), not just oxygen.
 

Jake2150

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2020
Messages
90
Reaction score
198
Points
33
Update:
Tumbled with a water and CLR solution for about an hour and took the staining right off. I think it was a combination. Of too much oxide and not enough water. Thanks for your input
 

Sgberger

Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2020
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Points
1
I get the black goop if I put too much abrasive in. The problem I haven't been able to solve is the black stain gets into every pore and "half moon" bump and every scratch and scrape. I have tried steaming, and I have tried an ultrasonic cleaner but cannot seem to figure how the get the solution to penetrate into the stain, although the water and abrasive seems to get in fine. Any tips?
 

Jake2150

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2020
Messages
90
Reaction score
198
Points
33
I get the black goop if I put too much abrasive in. The problem I haven't been able to solve is the black stain gets into every pore and "half moon" bump and every scratch and scrape. I have tried steaming, and I have tried an ultrasonic cleaner but cannot seem to figure how the get the solution to penetrate into the stain, although the water and abrasive seems to get in fine. Any tips?
I would try a short tumble using CLR. Worked good for me.
 

hemihampton

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2006
Messages
9,160
Reaction score
6,183
Points
113
The black stain/goop removal Question has been asked in here many times before. I'll say what I always say, For me, what works is after Tumbling to remove the Black Stain I then soak the Bottle in Muriatic Acid. It's strong so you must wear gloves & reduce/dilute the Acid with about 75% Water. soak for a minute to 5 minutes, swoosh around & or Brush with tooth brush to remove from fine crevices, ect., ect. Works for me, Been doing it that way for Years with no Problems. LEON.
 

Latest posts

Members online

No members online now.

Latest threads

Forum statistics

Threads
83,358
Messages
743,815
Members
24,376
Latest member
Ally_Mac
Top