- 1). Clean your scrap metal so you can be paid a higher price. The process of cleaning scrap metal doesn't actually involve removing dirt and grease from the metal. Cleaning scrap metal means removing any other metals or impurities that are attached to it. The basic idea is to gather together metals of the same type and grade. Examples of impurities include screws, rivets, bolts and nails. If you're working with aluminum, stainless steel, brass or copper and are unsure whether your metal is considered clean, you can perform a magnet test. If your magnet sticks to anything on the metal, it will be considered dirty until you remove those parts. Keep in mind that this test does not work on cast iron or on stainless steel with aluminum attached. In these situations, it's better to just remove any parts in question.
- 2). Sort your scrap metal according to its type and grade. Copper is sorted into two categories. Copper #1 is solid copper, with no brass and little corrosion, and copper #2 is at least 95 percent copper and can be with or without significant corrosion. Aluminum is sorted into five categories. Aluminum cans can be sold as long as they are relatively clean and don't contain steel. Aluminum sheet is considered clean if it has less than 5 percent of other materials and dirty if it has more than 5 percent. Aluminum extrusion is considered clean if it has less than 5 percent of other materials and dirty if it has more than 5 percent or is significantly corroded. Stainless steel is considered clean if it has less than 5 percent of other materials and dirty if it has more than 5 percent. Brass must be cleaned and is considered clean with less than 5 percent of other materials, with the exception of copper. Copper doesn't make brass dirty.
- 3). Call local scrap metal dealers and recycling centers in your area. Ask for their current going price on the type of prepared scrap metal you have. Prices are constantly changing so the price you receive over the phone will most likely change by the time you deliver your metal, but this will at least give you a good idea of who's paying the most per pound.
- 4). Compare the prices you've gathered and decide on the dealer with whom you'd like to work.
- 5). Deliver your prepared scrap metal to the facility and receive your payment.
- 6). Create an ongoing relationship with the same dealer if you're going to continue selling prepared scrap metal. Dealers will offer higher payouts to sellers who consistently sell them good products.
- 7). Sell your prepared scrap metal in the largest quantities possible. Dealers prefer to purchase bulk amounts and may offer a higher incentive for bringing more at once.
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