Copper - to clean or not to clean.

[Vinca]

I found a couple of nice, old copper pieces yesterday and I'm faced with the question of cleaning again. I buy for resale and this time it's a big, old bowl and a large planter. Both have a really dark patina. I can never decide whether to polish them or not. I'm tending toward leaving them alone. What do you think?

[rock]

1. Leave alone

If the buyer wants them cleaned, he can do it himself. You can't unclean these pieces.

[Demit]

2. I think the beauty of copper is in its coppery glow.

I'd say, polish the pieces then let them sit for a few days before photographing them. Unless you know for a fact that the pieces have historical significance, there's no reason not to restore the beauty of the original finish.

[TexasProgresive]

3. What I have heard is to only polish silver.

Polishing copper, brass and bronze decreases their value, but what do I know?

[bresue]

4. Does anyone know a way to clean brass/tin? I have tried with vinegar

but now I have spots and pitting. I bought an old spittoon and trying to clean it up.