SpudFiles

Is there anything that you can put on copper pipe sp that it does not rust an turn green? I am just wondering because I want to use copper as a barrel, but i do not want it to rust.

yea its simple, but keep it dry. the reason it turns green is because there is water in it. it could just be humidity if you live in a really humid place. other than that, just keep it clean and it wont do that.


it also wont do that if your ammo (not potatos or fruit) fits well, that will clean it out. like marbles and things like that.

ive never had that problem with mine and ive had it for several months.

i honestly wouldnt wory about it.

Actually it doesn't rust, only iron or anything with iron (steel) rusts. Copper just oxidizes. You could try spray painting it or spraying on a clear coat (which would allow to see the copper). If you live in a dry environment (like new mexico) though it shouldn't oxidize very much or very fast, actually i have a piece which is as shiny as it was when i bought it.

You do know that rust is iron oxidizing right? So to wright it quickly because he was comparing it to rust is not too unreasonable although it isn't called rust its very similar.

True, but my point was rusting was not the correct term. I was thinking though, would gun oil work for copper?

maybe i know wd40 works a little to keep it shinny but gun oil might be a good choice, but im not sure on the price

Could one use a sacrificial anode in this application?
I'd presume not, because there isn't any return circuitry, but in all honesty, I don't know as much about this elecrochem application as Iad like to.

thats out of my realm but isnt there a way to use zink or some other metal to draw the oxidation away of does that only work under water?

Sacrificial anodes are made of a more reactive element and will corrode before the other metal does. Although, I don't know if it would work in a gun at all. I guess you could try making something out of aluminum or magnesium and using that in the gun for the heck of it.

Gun oil is pretty close to stuff like WD40, but it's just more refined, has some stuff and leave some things out. If you are just using it on a BB gun or a copper gun, don't bother. My dad and I have always just used Rem Oil on all the guns for years, and it has worked fine.

Do what the Russians do with their AK cartridges - they're made of steel, but with a very thin layer of resin to keep them from corroding.

Err, that's what I'm talking about.

Although, admittedly, physically protecting the surface may be enough easier that it's the best option.
It's probably ok to forgo the fancy "gun" oils, BTW... it's not like anyone actually spent much time or effort researching proper formulations for such. Motor oil, or better yet, a grease, is good.

Speaking of grease, I saw some anti-corrosion marine axle grease at my local hardware store, which sounds like what we are looking for.
Of course, it may be anti-corrosion because of added phosphoric acid... and I don't know if that works for steel.

Alright... I'm sure you've noticed that you can remove the oxidation from pipe with steel wool or emery cloth, right? (If you're soldering your joints, you BETTER have noticed this. )

Well, since you're not going to buy the pipe perfect, you should clean it first. I live in Louisiana, so any pipe I clean gets tarnished again about a few days later.

Anyways, clean it good with the steel wool, and then clean it good with soap-water. Buy some clear varnish/sealer from Home Cheapo and then give it a few thin coats, letting each coat dry in between. NOTE: don't get polyurethane. It doesn't work on copper... I've tried.

But, personally, I don't mind the tarnish that much. If you're ever humping the bush with your cannon, you don't want a shiny barrel reflecting sunlight everywhere.

mix salt into vinegar until it dissolves and when the pipe starts to change colors clean it with that. it will clean the copper in 5 seconds.

You can polish copper with Brasso, or I believe you can buy copper lacquer. It won't be quite as shiny afterwards, but it won't need polishing.

It depends on what you want.

You're better off leaving it alone. The thin film that forms protects Copper Brass and Bronze from further oxidization. Every time it forms and you abrade it off, you are slowly eating away the metal.
Everyone seems to want that camo look so why not let it form naturally?