Businesses that buy scrap metal want to keep costs low in order to maximize profit. Any savings that you will be able to provide for the the scrap metal buyer will be passed onto you. However, if the scrap metal you take to them is covered in dirt, the scrap metal company may not even accept it. The following are some tips for cleaning up your scrap metal so you get the best price for it.

Cleaning the Scrap Metal

Take the scrap metal outside to an open area, or you can clean it in a large sink if you don't mind the sink getting dirty. The first step in preparing your scrap metal is to cut off all parts of the scrap metal that are not metallic. There may be rubber or plastic extensions that you need to remove. 

To remove the grease, spray a degreaser on all of the oily parts. Then, the metal parts will be ready to wash. The best way to wash the parts is to put on a pair of safety goggles and to use a pressure washer, which will be able to efficiently remove the dirt and grease from the metal parts. If you do not have a pressure washer, another option is to use soap, water, a sponge, and some elbow grease to scrub the metal pieces. Make sure to dry the pieces of metal by wiping them down with a towel to make sure that they do not rust.

Removing Insulation From a Wire

A very profitable type of metal that you can sell is copper metal. However, to make the sale of the copper metal profitable, you will need to remove any non-metallic components. One of the most common sources of copper is wire. The copper wire comes with insulation that will need to be removed by slicing it with a knife. Then, the insulation can be peeled off. Before stripping the wire, place it in a vise grip. After you have stripped some of the insulation off, pull the wire out of the insulation. 

Another approach for those who do not have as much time is to burn the plastic. This is not recommended because the burnt plastic can release fumes and because the fire can damage the metal. Also, the metal will be black after being heated by the flame. Therefore it is recommended that you take the time to manually strip the wire.

For more tips on getting your scrap metal ready to recycle, talk to a yard like Big Daddy Scrap.