Protect copper shine from tarnish?

Question

I have a flat shiny copper surface I want to protect from tarnishing. I used a thin coat of varnish which seemed to work, but the surface came out a little rough with fine grains of varnish on it. So, I removed the varnish using Brasso polish and then got the idea of using some car wax to protect the surface from tarnishing. It shines very well, almost like a mirror, but I'm wondering how long the wax will last?

Is this a good idea, or is there a better way to preserve a copper shine, assuming some fingerprints may be added from handling?

-Bill

Michael Koblic · Accepted Answer

1) Wax needs to be re-applied from time to time depending on exposure. Paste wax is good as is home-made mixture of beeswax, linseed oil and turpentine.2) Some people use combo of paste wax and linseed oil even for outdoors.3) Try Penetrol - it is good on steel, I have not tried it on copper.4) Finally, consider Future Floor finish (acrylic). The times I tried it on metals it is invisible and rather durable, although I do not have a long term experience yet.

kfvorwerk · Answer

There's a product for this but I don't remember what it's called. Ithink it bakes on. Google for it.Karl

Joseph Gwinn · Answer

In article , "    "  wrote:Dow Corning makes a bake-on silicone varnish intended to protect copper, brass, and bronze objects that are exposed to the elements.  The main market is lock and door hardware, but it may also be used for statues.Joe Gwinn

Mark F · Answer

Lacquer. Mohawk sell a specific Lacquer for Brass, which I've found sticks and wears well, flows wonderfully. Some things called lacquer are NOT.... Deft or Delft comes to mind - smells awful, dries slowly and cannot be removed - maybe this is a good thing for some.... /mark

Martin H. Eastburn · Answer

Use CAR wax. It lasts longer and is uv protecting (itself). Car wax is great in traffic areas that the normal floor wax gets consumed to fast.

Martin

Mart>> I have a flat shiny copper surface I want to protect from tarnishing.

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kfvorwerk · Answer

That's the one I was thinking of.Karl

RB · Answer

Musical instruments use lacquer cut 50% with alcohol IIRC.Flow much better.

stans4 · Answer

Microcrystalline wax, used for museum preservation, some woodworking outfits have it. That's for objects not being handled much. There are lacquers specifically meant for brasswork, again some woodworking suppliers have it. Think brass musical instrument finish in a spray can.

Stan

Joseph Gwinn · Answer

In article , "    "  wrote:I think that it's Dow Corning 1-2577 Conformal Coating.  I got a sample of this in 1981, and may be misremembering.  I would call Dow Corning and ask.Joe Gwinn

Bill B · Answer

News==---- #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000NewsgroupsI used some "Mothers California Gold" car wax with Carnauba. Seems towork and  the copper surface shows no sign of oxidation in 3 days.Time will tell.Another surface has a glossy picture glued on and I'm wondering ifsome of the same wax would help preserve that. I tried some of the waxon another photograph, and it seemed to improve the shine somewhat,but hard to tell.Is it a good idea to use car wax on shiny photographs?-Bill

kfvorwerk · Answer

That's the time period I heard about it.Karl

Protect copper shine from tarnish?

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