Copper wire that has turned black in kiln - need advice

[Shereen]

Hi,
I hope someone can advise me how to take care of this problem.  I have made some kiln formed art with copper wire (16 and 9 gauge)  wire and it turned a icky color in the kiln.   I kinda expected this bit is there any thing I can do to turn it back to copper color or, at least make it look nice? 

Thanks you 

[Ian]

Hi Shereen
Did you cap the copper wire with another piece of glass or just fire onto a piece of glass? When you use copper in fusing then it must be cleaned
either with lemon juice or very fine abrasive like scouring powder. If you fire copper open in the kiln then it will turn black because it reacts with the oxygen in the air. If you want it to stay a copper color then you need to cover it with a clear enamel or powder frit to try and stop the reaction with air.
Hope this helps. Any chance of a picture of your result and maybe mention the firing program you used. This always helps when trying to work out what
the problems with a particular project are.
Ian

[Ian]

I found an experiment with copper to photograph. This was capped and because it was thin copper sheet the minimum amount of air got to it while
fusing so there are several different colors in the copper. wire being thicker will have a somewhat different outcome because it is thicker and will allow more air to reach the wire before the top layer of glass seals to the bottom layer.
Ian

[Becki]

Shereen, are you talking about exposed wire?

[Shereen]

Forgive me- I should have explained more- Yes , the wire is exposed - I was making more of these: And instead of gluing the wire I put it between two peices of glass - now it's black and looks like it was in a fire (which it kinda was) Thank you-

[Shereen]

Also, I didn't put anything on it- can I save it now?   So, paint it with clear? Won't that burn off?   

[Becki]

The wire should clean up just fine with a bit of steel wool or emery cloth.  You can also try a Coke soak...original, not diet!

[Shereen]

THANK YOU!!!  I went outside and picked a couple lemons - It worked great!!     That wire made such a mess in the kiln it scared me.       Acid - lemon or Coke - Thanks so much!!!