McKinney has an old square and a brand-new north side
Around McKinney’s square, older houses give up copper, cast fixtures, and the scrap of a renovation that is trying to keep the front elevation. Those loads are fiddly and worth sorting. North of there, new sections produce builder cutoffs, HVAC line, and the packaging metal of a house that just closed.
A junk car on an older lot near the square is often a title problem as much as a metal problem. Say if you have the paper. New-subdivision HOA gates are the other access issue — include the code.
Local prices vary by yard. Send a photo for a quote. We do not publish a McKinney scale sheet.
Dallas–Fort Worth Scrap is an independent referral service that connects you with local scrap yards.
Contractor scrap form · Gold and silver · Cash for cars
Sort McKinney scrap by material before pickup
A magnet is a quick first check. If it sticks, the item is likely ferrous, such as steel or iron; if it does not, it may be copper, brass, or aluminum. The test does not identify the exact metal or grade, and some stainless steel may behave differently. Keep magnetic and nonmagnetic material in separate piles, then ask the partner yard how it wants each load sorted.
Copper condition affects its grade. Clean, uncoated copper wire may qualify as bare bright; clean pipe or tubing may fit a #1 grade. Solder, paint, oxidation, or other attachments can change the classification, and yard standards vary. #2 copper is generally less clean. Keep insulated wire separate rather than burning it. Stripping can expose clean copper, but the extra labor may not be worthwhile for a small or mixed batch.
Separate brass from copper and aluminum, and keep visibly clean material apart from pieces with steel fittings, plastic, or heavy residue. Aluminum can include sheet, siding, cast parts, and extrusions; those are not always graded alike. Avoid bundling unlike materials together. A few clear photos of the separate piles can help a partner yard assess the load, but its inspection and scale ticket determine the final grade.
Prepare a McKinney scrap or car pickup
Before a pickup, gather the material where a truck can reach it without blocking a driveway or putting people near moving equipment. Note stairs, narrow access, overhead wires, and any gate code. Keep sharp edges and loose metal contained, and do not climb onto an unstable pile to retrieve pieces. The site connects sellers with independent partner yards; confirm access, accepted materials, and pickup arrangements with the yard handling your request.
Do not cut refrigerant lines or dismantle a refrigerator, freezer, or air conditioner to make it easier to load. Appliances containing refrigerant need proper evacuation before scrap processing. Ask the partner yard whether it accepts the appliance intact and what preparation it requires. Also remove personal items from vehicles and appliances, and keep batteries or other components separate only if the yard asks you to do so.
For a junk car, tell the yard whether you have the title before arranging removal. Title and other paperwork requirements can vary by yard and situation, so ask what documents it will accept and whose name must appear on them. Do not remove a catalytic converter unless you own the vehicle and the yard has told you how it handles the part. Partner yards handle inspection, weighing, payment, and any required identification.
Questions
How can I tell whether scrap is ferrous or non-ferrous?
Try a magnet on a clean part of the item. A strong attraction usually points to iron or steel; no attraction can indicate copper, brass, or aluminum. This is only a sorting clue, not a grade or value test. Separate the piles and let the partner yard confirm the material.
Is it worth stripping insulated copper wire?
It depends on the amount, wire type, and time involved. Stripping may reveal cleaner copper, but many yards accept insulated wire and grade it by type or recoverable copper. Keep it intact unless the yard confirms stripping makes sense. Never burn insulation; fumes can be hazardous and burning can damage the metal.
Can I put a refrigerator or air conditioner in a scrap load?
Ask the partner yard first, and leave refrigerant lines intact. Refrigerant needs proper recovery before the appliance is processed; do not cut or vent the lines yourself. The yard can tell you whether it accepts the unit as-is, whether a qualified service provider must prepare it, and how to arrange pickup.
What paperwork should I have for a junk car?
Have the vehicle title available if you have it, and tell the yard whose name is on it. Requirements may depend on the vehicle and the yard, so ask what documents it accepts before scheduling removal. A registration or bill of sale may not replace a title for that yard’s process.
Does a catalytic converter need separate handling?
Ask the yard before removing or loading a converter. It may request details about the vehicle, the part, or proof that you own the vehicle, and its acceptance process can vary. Do not remove a converter from a vehicle you do not own or have permission to dismantle.