Preventing metal from tarnishing - any tips?

[disco_monkey79]

I'm putting this in the woodworking section becuase I want to incorporate metal in to some wood designs, e.g. bands of copper in wooden candlesticks.

I can polish it up beforehand, but don't want to have to smear metal polish over the finished wooden item/s, if it tarnishes at a later date.

I considered spraying laquer on the polished metal (before constructing) as a possibility - anyone had any experience with this, or can suggest a better alternative other than gold, which doesn't tarnish... ;-)

Thanks

 

[Spindle]

Hi

Hairspray is a form of lacquer which works well, if it does get damaged it is very easily removed to allow re-polishing and re-application of hairspray.

Hairspray is such a fine coat that you don't see it as you do with thicker lacquers. It does not affect the appearance of the metal either

Regards Mick

 

[Harbo]

Renaissance Microcrystalline Wax will stop the metal tarnishing and good for wood too.

Rod

 

[disco_monkey79]

Thanks both

 

[Cheshirechappie]

Clock and watch makers and repairers have long used laquers such as these https://www.cousinsuk.com/catalog/consu ... pid-drying from Cousins to protect brass and silver clock and watch parts. They aren't really intended for items that get a lot of regular handling, so how they'd hold up long-term in such conditions I don't really know; but the same can be said of other clear coatings, too.

 

[WoodMangler]

I use Rustin's Metal Lacquer on model cannons, copes with handling very well.

 

[Benchwayze]

Go for gold. It's probably cheaper than copper ATM! (hammer)

Seriously, wouldn't regular waxing clean and preserve the copper anyway?

Just a thought.