Protective Finish for Copper
by Riki
(Israel)
How can one prevent copper from turning green and is there a coating that would protect the client's skin?
Thank you,
Riki
Stacy's Answer:
Thanks for your question, Riki. Copper will eventually turn green when exposed to air and moisture unless you protect it. There are a variety of materials used to protect copper...from waxes, which are temporary, to lacquers, which are more permanent. I generally prefer the lacquers.
Rio Grande makes a nice sealant called MidasŪ Finish Seal Lacquer, which is easy to apply and water soluble until it dries. However, I've found that the metal does continue to oxidize, albeit at a much slower rate, under the coating. It also wears off in areas that get a lot of friction.
My current sealant of choice is PermalacŪ EF because the fumes are not so noxious, it forms a nice hard shell and it does a better job of protecting the metal from further oxidation. The downside is that it's more difficult to use than MidasŪ and other sealers, though I've found it's worth the extra effort.
