New Still, lacquer copper? Or not...

[Bull Rider]

Just finished the pot still, and I've shined up the copper column and condenser. Looks pretty nice. I'm thinking of a spray coat of lacquer or clear poly to keep the shine longer (no pun intended), But then I got to thinking that the shiny copper sticks out like neon. Which is probably not a big deal. Would a clear coat over the copper last? I'd probably have to wait for warmer weather to do it proper. Thanks.

[astrangebrew]

You can, I've seen some European copper with a clear coat. It will last a while, (mileage will vary) sooner or later it will look a little shabby and need to be stripped and redone.
Personally, IMO, I'd suggest you polish it all up, take a lot of great photos (post them, we all like copper porn) and then let the patina build naturally.

SB

[rad14701]

I view painting to outside of a still with lacquer akin to using rubber inside one... If it's potentially toxic it doesn't belong in or on a still...

[airhill]

And how would you propose to insulate a reflux column?

[rad14701]

And how would you propose to insulate a reflux column?

Not with lacquer...

But seriously, while we do need to keep safety in mind, most insulation choices would be okay... The issue with lacquer (or other paint products) is that if it is covering a soldered joint, and that joint was to fail, there is a possibility that softened coating could be drawn into the still... Perhaps not a lot of contamination but we always need to consider the possible consequences of any materials we use without exception...