Polishing my (copper) pipes. Ooh Err!

Ahleckz

Ahleckz

Ahleckz

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We're getting our kitchen done, and in one area of the room we have two copper pipes for the water upstairs. These are currently 'hidden' by some horrible white plastic conduit. I however would like them to be exposed, and shine their beautiful coppery goldness to the world.

Has anyone ever polished their copper water pipes? Is it a futile exercise and have to be done every few days or are there any hacks to keep them looking good? Perhaps some sort of lacquer? But not sure if it'll work on hot water pipes...

I can't really be bothered doing it if needs repolished every few days but I could maybe accept a few months.

Alternatively, any ideas on how to cover them with something nicer than the standard white plastic coverings? Unfortunately rerouting/burying into the wall isn't an option.
 
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Ahleckz said:
Didn't consider putting a 'pipe shroud' around my current pipe. But, this may be a good solution. However, those linked are very short (300mm - I'll need closer to two runs of 1800mm). However, does give me something to look at.
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I think they do 500mm too, so you could cover the joins with decorative pipe fixings?
 
. You can get copper lacquer but it isnt suitable for hot water pipes, so you would need a high temp lacquer (for hot water pipes). You will also need to thoroughly degrease the pipes before application and remove any clips a the entire pipe will need coating, if you dont, those areas will oxidize and the oxidation will creep under the lacquer. You would also need to turn off both hot and cold water so that they are at room temp when you coat them. The lacquer is very fast drying and is better prayed on than brush painted. Generally it is not recommended to lacquer copper pipes. You can buy pre-lacquered copper, but the lacquer is baked on a part of the production process.
 
Ahleckz said:
We're getting our kitchen done, and in one area of the room we have two copper pipes for the water upstairs. These are currently 'hidden' by some horrible white plastic conduit. I however would like them to be exposed, and shine their beautiful coppery goldness to the world.

Has anyone ever polished their copper water pipes? Is it a futile exercise and have to be done every few days or are there any hacks to keep them looking good? Perhaps some sort of lacquer? But not sure if it'll work on hot water pipes...

I can't really be bothered doing it if needs repolished every few days but I could maybe accept a few months.

Alternatively, any ideas on how to cover them with something nicer than the standard white plastic coverings? Unfortunately rerouting/burying into the wall isn't an option.
Click to expand...

Couldn't you just box them in with some plasterboard and then bit of plaster skimmed on top and painted over, what I did for a couple of pipes tucked into a corner of our ceiling.
 
don't do what you're thinking otherwise next week they'll be a new thread on here titled "help my pipes are leaking" lol
 
Yeah we did that in the house i grew up in, we used a bit of brasso on them every once in a while, they seemed to stay shiny for quite a while. They were hot water pipes going from the stove in the kitchen that provided all the hot water.

I'd do it again for sure, i mean look at any steam engine, they get all their copper and brass bits shined up all the time without issue. In a controlled environment of a house they should stay shiny for quite some time, certainly won't be needing to be done every few days.
 
The cold water pipes tarnish in under a day as they get condensation on them. Brasso will become tedious very quickly...
 
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