Antique Alarm Bell Restoration. Making a Copper Bell.

This vintage burglar alarm has been in use for over 50 years. And all these years it worked properly until it lost its relevance. And for several years of inactivity, the contacts oxidized and the mechanisms rusted.

Recovery process:
The alarm bell was in a very bad condition. The chrome plating has already peeled off and the metal has begun to rust. I polished the surface of the bell with a grinder. But you can not leave the surface unprotected, otherwise the socket will rust very quickly. I decided to cover the surface of the bell with copper. This will give a noble look, as well as protect the surface from rust.

Copper plating at home.
The first step is to thoroughly degrease the surface. For this I used caustic alkali.
After degreasing the surface, it is necessary to immerse the workpiece in sulfuric acid (electrolyte for batteries) for several minutes. The acid will remove all oxides from the surface.
Then we lower the part into a solution of copper sulfate, water and sulfuric acid. After several “up and down” cycles, a strong copper coating forms on the surface, which cannot be removed even with a brass brush!

Then I cleaned all the contacts from rust, painted the case and assembled the alarm in reverse order.

Now this device looks good on the facade of my workshop, and also perfectly drives away crows from my garden)))

I liked the result of my work, I hope you will like it too.

I will be grateful for your likes and comments!

#restoration
#awesomerestoration
#RITBR