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Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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Keeping copper from turning green

Hello,

I have a cupola with a bright new shiny copper top. I have polished it with Brasso ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . Can you tell me if there is anything I can apply to the copper to keep it nice and shiny as opposed to turning green?

Thanks so much!

Joanne S
1998

Ed. note: This forum is intended to help build camaraderie through sharing of tips, pics, anecdotes, & opinions.
When people withhold their names, those readers who offer theirs may be less likely to engage.

A. A lacquer (clear) will prevent the copper from oxidizing and changing color. You might talk to G.J. Nikolas [a finishing.com supporting advertiser].

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
1998

Q. I am interested in finding a quick way to oxidize copper to speed the natural process by which copper turns green over prolonged periods...any suggestions?

Erik Andersen
1998

A. Erik,

Get swimming pool chlorine (stronger than store bleach) ⇦ bleach/sodium hypochlorite in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and soak the copper for a day or so. Will turn green.

Evan Sax
Newland, North Carolina
1998

"The Colouring, Bronzing & Patination of Metals"
by Hughes & Rowe
coloring_bronzing

on eBay or

AbeBooks

or Amazon

(affil links)

For complete info about how to turn copper-bearing metals any conceivable shade, please see this >great book on patinizing ⇨.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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