How to Clean Scrap Metal Prior to Sale

As explained in Recycle Scrap Metal: Boost Your Income and Help Save the Environment you can make money selling scrap metal.

However there are things that need to be done to this metal prior to its sale to maximize the money you can make. First it has to be cleaned & separated.
To do this you need the following hand tools. Socket sets & ratchets both Standard, Metric in regular sizes and deep well. 3/8,1/4,1/2 inch drive sizes.

You will also use Open End & Box wrenches standard & Metric, Nut drivers, set of screw drivers standard & Phillips,pliers regular & Needle nose, Channel locks,Reciprocating Saw with metal cutting blades.

Long handled bolt cutters,wire strippers, Magnet (very Important), tin snips, WD40, Liquid wrench, Oil.

First separate metal according to type. Use magnet to test to see if what you have is steel,or cast iron both will react to magnet or aluminum which won't.
Steel- Where possible cut into lengths of 3ft or less this is called short steel & pays more per 100lbs.

Long steel is anything over 3ft, Remove all screws, nails, nuts,bolts, from long steel & place in bucket or box these can be sold as short steel.

Aluminum Cans- Always crush

Sheet Aluminum - this is aluminum siding, wire, Remove all steel screws etc use magnet to check them

Copper- Strip insulation from wire, cut tubing & pipes into lengths 2to3 ft to fit on scale. Separate all red & yellow brass from copper & sell separately.

On all car radiators, AC coils, heater cores - Cut the ends off if needed Use reciprocating saw metal cutting blade fold A/C coils to fit scale separate into those made from copper & those made with aluminum, sell separately. Remove all screws, nuts,bolts, plastics.

Using channel locks, screw drivers, pliers bend the metal tabs away from the ends you have cut off off the car radiators, A/C coils remove that piece of metal test with magnet if it is steel put with short steel if Aluminum put with sheet aluminum.

Remove tube that has been exposed this will go with either brass or copper. Some radiators the ends are metal instead of plastic & these are usually brass from these just remove all steel nuts & bolts.

Using the tools above you can also disassemble lawnmower motors, large engines, transmissions separate the components as above & maximize your money. Follow this guide and you will make the most money possible from the scrap you collect.