If you're considering selling scrap metal, copper wiring is one of the most lucrative and available options. You can typically find this metal in junk cars, electronics like televisions and computers, and household appliances, including stoves, refrigerators, and washers and dryers. Here’s how to safely and effectively remove copper wiring.

How to Strip Copper Wiring for Scrap

1. Use a Knife or Scissors

If you're only removing a few copper wires for selling scrap metal, common household tools like a knife or scissors will do the job quickly and easily. Be sure the blades are extremely sharp; you may want to sharpen them beforehand with a whetstone.

Hold the knife or scissors over the spot you want to strip and turn the wire. The blade should cut through the insulation but not the wire inside. Once the wire is visible, use your hand or some pliers to grip the end of the cable and pull off the insulation.

2. Warm the Wiring in the Sun

Take advantage of the Texas heat by first warming the wires in the sun. The heat will soften the plastic that’s used in most types of insulation.

After the sun has made the wiring pliable, the insulation can be stripped by hand. This technique is better suited to thin wires and cables and those without extremely thick insulation.

3. Invest in an Electric Wire Stripper

With an electric wire stripper, you feed the wiring through a port, where an electric motor picks it up and automatically removes the insulation with a blade. This device is ideal for handling large amounts of wiring as it requires little effort on your part to strip a lot of wire in a short time. An electric wire stripper is a sound investment for those who strip scrap metal as part of their business or sell it to supplement their income.

When you’re ready to start selling scrap metal, contact Roadrunner Recycling. Since 1995, they’ve been serving the San Marcos, Seguin, and New Braunfels area of Texas. They offer cash for junk cars and scrap metal, including aluminum, brass, copper, iron, and stainless steel. Call (512) 353-4511 if you have questions, or visit them online to learn more about their recycling services.