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Protecting copper work for a gallery exhibition

Q. Any suggestions as to how to protect burnished copper to protect it and to make the metal zing when viewed in a gallery.

I have created a large copper pipe sculpture for an exhibition in Oxfordshire that starts in September. I have patinated the copper to take away the fresh look from the pipe maker but now I want to protect the finish.

Any suggestions?

Tony Wyer
Artist - Oxford UK
August 20, 2025

A. Hi Tony.

Benzotriazole and similar compounds are excellent preservatives for copper. But greater durability will come from following it with a brass lacquer ... or simply using a brass lacquer which contains benzotriazole, like Incralac ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] .

Luck & Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
(Ted is available for instant or longterm help)
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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