Ask the Experts Tools Q&A

How do you remove the protective coating from non-tarnish copper wire? I made a viking knit bracelet from said wire that did not indicate that it was non tarnish. I want to dip it in Liver of sulfur to antique it. Can this coating be removed in some sort of solution? I look forward to your reply.

- Susan

The protective coating that is found on most non-tarnish wire is thick enough to protect the wire from tarnish but thin enough to allow you to manipulate, texture and add surface embellishments to the wire effectively. 

You can also usually add patina to this type of wire with good results. Use Liver of Sulfur™ or Cool Tools Patina Gel on a practice piece of wire to see if the wire you used will take the patina readily.

If you are not pleased with the results you can run the wire through progressive grits of polishing papers to ''roughen'' up the surface of the coating and remove enough that the second attempt at adding a patina should be effective.

- Sandra Lupo, Metalsmith, Jewelry Artist and Instructor