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Radiant Joints

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Andruid
Andruid Member Posts: 9
in THE MAIN WALL
I install hydronic heating systems and have been very concerned about getting a "WOW" out of customers concerning how the system looks when I'm finished. One of the things that needs to be achieved for that is to get beautifully sweated copper joints. I've noticed that switching around things like solder and flux change the cleanness of the joints. I've also seen guys spraying stuff on their joints when wiping them down after soldering. What tricks and products do you professionals use when getting the perfect looking joint?

Comments

  • hr
    hr Member Posts: 6,106
    For show quality joints

    be sure to not over flux. The solder will follow flux drools. Heat the base of the joint to pull the solder in. This will even work on vertical joints.

    For a final showroom quality I sand around the soldered joint. First a coarse file if you have drops of solder. Then new 120 grit plumbers cloth. Next 320 or 400 grit to remove scratches. Finally a dose of Brasso.

    I recently purchased some plumbers gloves with ScotchBrite poads sewed to the palms. These are real nice for both final clean up, and keeping your hands clean.

    Regardless copper will dull after time. I've tried spray clear coats, wax, furniture polish, you name it. If you want a lasting copper shine, copper colored spray paint!

    hot rod

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  • hr
    hr Member Posts: 6,106
    clean the pipe and fitting

    don't overflux. The solder will follow the flux drools.

    Heat only the base of the fitting and the solder will pull to the hottst point. Even uphill!

    Take the torch away as soon as the solder flows. When the solder drips to the floor, take the solder away, the joint will not take anymore and it ends up on the floor or inside the pipe!

    Use a damp rag to clean the flux residue while the joint is still slightly warm.

    For show quality joints I will also sand them.

    Start with a file if you have gobs. then 120 grit open mesh plumbers cloth. Finish off with a 320 or 400 grit to remove scratches. Brasso will finish off to a nice shine.

    Hard to keep that shine, however. I've tried clear coats, car wax, furniture polish, you name it. Only copper colored spray paint retains the color forever :)

    hot rod

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  • Joe Billow
    Joe Billow Member Posts: 2


    > don't overflux. The solder will follow the flux

    > drools.

    >

    > Heat only the base of the fitting and

    > the solder will pull to the hottst point. Even

    > uphill!

    >

    > Take the torch away as soon as the

    > solder flows. When the solder drips to the

    > floor, take the solder away, the joint will not

    > take anymore and it ends up on the floor or

    > inside the pipe!

    >

    > Use a damp rag to clean the

    > flux residue while the joint is still slightly

    > warm.

    >

    > For show quality joints I will also sand

    > them.

    >

    > Start with a file if you have gobs.

    > then 120 grit open mesh plumbers cloth. Finish

    > off with a 320 or 400 grit to remove scratches.

    > Brasso will finish off to a nice shine.

    >

    > Hard

    > to keep that shine, however. I've tried clear

    > coats, car wax, furniture polish, you name it.

    > Only copper colored spray paint retains the color

    > forever :)

    >

    > hot rod

    >

    > _A

    > HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=

    > 144&Step=30"_To Learn More About This

    > Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in

    > "Find A Professional"_/A_



  • Joe Billow
    Joe Billow Member Posts: 2


    The bike looks sweet.
  • jim lockard
    jim lockard Member Posts: 1,059
    hey H.R.

    Have you ever tried boiled linseed oil ? I used to hang out with an old guy that wiped linseed oil on his copper gutter work said it turned the copper a nice even chocolate brown. J.Lockard
  • Mark Wolff_2
    Mark Wolff_2 Member Posts: 76
    one detail

    The only thing I would add is that you can wipe any excess flux off the joint with a rag as you heat it to eliminate any extra flux you did get on the fitting, or that has started to run down the pipe on vertical joints.

    Well put though.
  • MIke_Jonas
    MIke_Jonas Member Posts: 202
    an alternative

    would be using the ProPress.
  • Joe_75
    Joe_75 Member Posts: 57


    > would be using the ProPress.



    > would be using the ProPress.



    I thought that guys were having problems with the pro-press fittings leaking. I have thought about buying one but was not sure if it was worth it.
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