Removing zinc plating

[carol...@yahoo.co.uk]

I have been given an old style boiler, about 40 litres, electric heater
with stat, which I intend to use for my home brew beer hobby. The tub
is made of copper which of course would be perfect except that its been
zinc plated all over.

My question is, how to remove the zinc plating and leave the copper OK.
I have little knowledge of chemistry but good electronics knowledge
and workshop so could easily build some kind of electro-deplating . I
need to know (if that is the answer), electrolyte, voltage, current
anode/cathode material etc. Easy to elevate temperature.

Or, if this is crazy, any other suggestions help anyone can offer.

TIA
dav...@ballstesco.net
Perform surgical castration to reply.

[Barry]

Its easier than you think.

A weak solutuion of any reasonable mineral acid will whip it of with
enormous gusto. Try 5 to 10% HCl and do it outdoors. It could well
froth up alarmingly so try weakest solution first and stand where if it
froths over no harm is done.

Wear Wellington boots, eye ptotection and gloves. Good luck.

If you can't buy mineral acids then try a builders merchant for cement
stain remover - it is weak HCl.