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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 WyerArtist - 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 ⇨
Luck & Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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A. Try Incralac, you can use it alone or in combination with Renaissance Wax ⇨
(base coat Incralac + top coat wax). Hope it helps and good luck!
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
August 25, 2025
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