Letter 18025

How do I clean and seal copper in order to retain newly reached colors?  

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I have just finished work on a 4x3 piece of copper for an art project. I used a propane torch to heat the copper and achieve a pattern of beautiful colors. I want the copper to retain the colors which I have produced. How can I clean and seal the copper without changing the colors? What are the specific products which I should use?

Tammie Greening
- Vilonia, Arkansas

I own a restaurant in Carmel Ca, the bar is an old blacksmith shop with copper walls. We polish them all the time!!!!!! Is there a way to seal them permanently? Help signed sore elbows.

Donna Rock
Restaurant Owner - Carmel, CA USA

Donna,

Not exactly "permanently", but I think brass lacquer or Everbrite would certainly greatly reduce your need for polishing. Good luck!

Tammie,

Your problem is much more difficult because, based on many letters of inquiry here, I believe that some of those colors are diffraction colors -- similar to an oil sheen on water. Once you coat it, you no longer have that special lightwave-short layer for the light to pass through. More info on other letters here, for example, letters 2662 and 1361 are a start.

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

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