Must cupronil be sprayed on?

After seeing the discussion on cupronil, I want to know if it MUST
be sprayed, or can it be applied with a brush? Can the item be dipped
in the flux? Why spray…is it a cost issue, or does it affect the
function of the flux?

Thanks,
Kelley

brushed, painted, dipped, any way you wanna!

Kelley,

We introduced Cupronil as a brush on anti fire scale flux in 1975.
The flux does not coat the metal when the metal is cold. Brushing on
Cupronil requires learning a new technique.

Brushing the flux requires the metal to be heated to a temperature
that causes the flux to form a crust on the silver as it is brushed
on. If the metal is too cold the flux will puddle. If the temperature
is too hot the brush will stick or burn. If the temperature of the
metal is correct the flux will be paint on as a crusty coating.

I am what I call a crash and bang silversmith. Brushing on Cupronil
was just too slow so we went to the sprayer.

We started selling the bottle with a spray to speed up the process.
The metal should be heated before spraying on the flux. If the
temperature is correct the flux will form the crusty coating as it
hit the metal…

If you have any problems using Cupronil contact me off list.

It is very simple to eliminate fire scale totally is you use the
proper technique and an anti fire scale flux.

Lee Epperson

Hi Kelley,

After seeing the discussion on cupronil, I want to know if it MUST
be sprayed, or can it be applied with a brush? Can the item be
dipped in the flux? Why spray...is it a cost issue, or does it
affect the function of the flux? 

You can absolutely apply it with a brush. I’ve been doing it for
years. In fact, in my opinion, spraying it on is wasteful.

What’s most important is to be sure the piece is very clean before
applying the Cupronil. If it’s not, you’ll see spots where the flux
didn’t cover and those spots will fire stain!

What I do is heat the piece a little, apply the Cupronil and dry it
with the torch. If I don’t see a white powdery substance covering all
the metal (with no little spots), I repeat until I do.

I see no reason why you couldn’t dip an item except that you’ll have
no flux where the piece was being held by the tweezers. Also, if the
the item is heated first, the flux may spatter when you dip. Now that
I think about it, the latter may be a deal breaker, but try it and
see. Just be careful!

Beth

Spraying ensures a full and even coating. Any economic loss(in
overspray) is meaningless. The overspray is certainly a lot less
messy than borax and alcohol, not prone to dripping flames either!

I use cuprinol on my vessels and both dip and paint the product on.
Afterall yu have to be able to pick it up after dipping, then either
spray where the tongs were of paint. Use it however you want I love
it and have been using it over 20 years.

Jennifer

A point I think most are missing is that whether you dip, paint or
spray, one can build coats by a quick flame over the metal to set
each application building an oxide proof coating that is both
indicator ( of temp.) and firescale preventative