"Honestly, copper develops that patina naturally anyway, so why bother sealing it? Seems like extra work for minimal benefit."
I see your point about the natural patina, but isn't there some benefit to sealing copper fixtures, especially if they're recycled from old plumbing? I've read that old pipes can sometimes have uneven corrosion or surface damage that might accelerate deterioration outdoors. Maybe sealing them could actually help preserve structural integrity longer, even if it means reapplying occasionally. Has anyone else tried this approach with success?
I've read that old pipes can sometimes have uneven corrosion or surface damage that might accelerate deterioration outdoors.
I've reused old copper pipes a few times around my properties, and while the patina is nice, sometimes sealing can be helpful. One time, I had these old pipes I turned into garden trellises—they looked great at first, but after a wet season, some spots corroded way faster than others, causing weak points. Sealing them might've prevented that. I agree it's extra work, but uneven corrosion can definitely be an issue outdoors...might be worth considering.
I've reused old copper piping outdoors myself—built a simple railing for some steps. Didn't seal it initially to save money, but soon regretted it... uneven corrosion set in pretty quickly. Sealing upfront would've saved me some hassle (and cash) later on.
"Didn't seal it initially to save money, but soon regretted it... uneven corrosion set in pretty quickly."
I get where you're coming from, but honestly, I think the corrosion can actually add some character. When I moved into my place, there was a bunch of old copper piping left behind in the shed. At first, I thought about scrapping it, but ended up using it to frame a small garden bed. Didn't seal it either—mostly because I didn't even think about it at the time—and yeah, it corroded unevenly. But after a few months, the patina actually looked pretty cool. It blended nicely with the plants and gave the garden a rustic vibe.
I guess it depends on what you're going for. If you're aiming for something clean and polished, sealing upfront makes sense. But if you're okay with a more natural, weathered look, skipping the sealant isn't necessarily a mistake. Plus, sealing can sometimes be pricey and a bit of a hassle itself—especially if you're just experimenting or working on a small DIY project.
Also, I've heard some folks say that sealing outdoor copper doesn't always hold up perfectly anyway. Eventually, weather and sun exposure can break down the coating, and you'll have to redo it periodically. So maybe it's not always saving you as much hassle as you'd think?
Just my two cents from someone who's still figuring out this homeowner stuff as I go...
I totally see your point about the patina actually adding character. I had a similar experience when I repurposed some old copper fixtures into outdoor lighting. Didn't seal mine either, mostly because sealing products weren't exactly cheap and I wasn't sure it'd even last outdoors long-term. Sure enough, they corroded unevenly, but now they've got this cool weathered look that fits perfectly with the yard. So yeah, sometimes skipping the sealant can turn out surprisingly well... guess it all depends on your personal style and expectations.
