Can You Varnish Copper ...

[sparkymick]

when you have cleaned your pipes with brasso, can they be varnished - and what type of varnish

[Buenchico]

As long as you've not got a very large amount of piping to be covered, it would probably be best to use the special lacquers that the antiques trade use for copper items:
http://www.britannia-collectables.co.uk/ANTI-TARNISH-LACQUER-Silver-Copper-Brass-150ml_A160LU.aspx

[sparkymick]

forgot to mention - these are heating pipes

[chrisosh]

There are several metal varnishes available, best to go to a professional paint shop. The most important thing is to thoroughly degrease after polishing.
Your pipes are unlikely to exceed 70 degrees Centigrade so the varnish should be okay, I have varnished copper heating pipes in the past with no trouble.

[diddlydo]

Errrr - hello? Don't most people just paint their plumbing pipes?

[heathfield]

I ordered a varnish for a similar job from a major lighting retailer. Turned out to be simply a clear cellulose laquer. Tip. If you varnish polished brass or copper, make sure every part of the polished surface is covered. If there's a bare bit left, tarnishing can start there, and it will eventually creep under the varnish.