Copper pipes

[thilanliyan]

Is there any problem with using copper pipes in my watercooling loop? There's no aluminum anywhere in my loop.

Any special type of piping I should look for? I'm not going to weld any of it together...for bends I'll just connect it with regular tubing.

Could I paint it?


EDIT: Are chrome plated copper pipes okay?

 

[WoodButcher]

Yes, you can use copper pipe and fittings. I use the elbows for tight radius bends as the flowrates are better than those sold for PC. I wouldn't recommend paint though.

 

[Jessica69]

Have seen it done a few times before......but after you get it set up, you're really fixed into the positions you've piped everything, which makes changing blocks a bit more difficult....

 

[Gillbot]

I use copper fittings all the time, no issues.

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: Jessica69
Have seen it done a few times before......but after you get it set up, you're really fixed into the positions you've piped everything, which makes changing blocks a bit more difficult....

The way I'm going to do it is I'll have copper piping for most of the way to the blocks but then have regular tubing to the block so that changing blocks would be slightly easier...I'm just finding a cleaner way of doing my loop than it is currently by moving my rad to the top of my case.

Do hardware stores (ie. Rona or Home Depot) sell any copper tubing that won't tarnish so much?

 

[CurseTheSky]

You should be able to paint any surfaces that aren't going to come in contact with the water / inside of the tubing, though if you're using clear tubing you'll probably still see the bare copper inside the tubing, which may look a little funny.

They may make some nickel / chrome plated copper pipes as well, which shouldn't tarnish like copper does. Expect to pay a premium if you can find some though.

 

[aigomorla]

polish the copper

who cares.

your not using the copper tubing as a heat dump source, so go ahead and bust out a polish kit and a dremel, and give the pipes a good polish.

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
You should be able to paint any surfaces that aren't going to come in contact with the water / inside of the tubing, though if you're using clear tubing you'll probably still see the bare copper inside the tubing, which may look a little funny.

They may make some nickel / chrome plated copper pipes as well, which shouldn't tarnish like copper does. Expect to pay a premium if you can find some though.

If they make some coated pipes and I can get them at a common hardware store then I'd do that...otherwise I'd like to paint it so I don't have to worry about the polish.

Originally posted by: aigomorla
polish the copper

who cares.

your not using the copper tubing as a heat dump source, so go ahead and bust out a polish kit and a dremel, and give the pipes a good polish.

How long does the polished finish last though? I'm not gonna bother if it's only like a month.

 

[cheesehead]

Originally posted by: thilan29


How long does the polished finish last though? I'm not gonna bother if it's only like a month.

Try "a week." Brass is better, but brass costs a fortune. A coat of clear polyurethane can make it last a little longer.

Just let it tarnish. It's not going to hurt anything.

 

[thilanliyan]

Wow that short huh? Hmm..I googled painting the copper and it is possible so I might just do that...black to match my case.

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: Cheesehead

Originally posted by: thilan29


How long does the polished finish last though? I'm not gonna bother if it's only like a month.

Try "a week." Brass is better, but brass costs a fortune. A coat of clear polyurethane can make it last a little longer.

Just let it tarnish. It's not going to hurt anything.

Use a light coat of thin oil or grease, it will keep the tarnish at bay for a while.

 

[thilanliyan]

Are chrome plated copper pipes okay? They're probably going to be a pain to cut since chrome is so hard but they were the best I could find.

 

[Gillbot]

I believe so, most fittings are plated.

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
I believe so, most fittings are plated.

No worries about galvanic corrosion then?

Oh and I could only find them in 3/8inch OD not ID but the walls are very thin and I'm gonna add a 120mm rad anyway so temps should get a bit better.

 

[Gillbot]

Corrosion more commonly occurs between aluminum and copper. I don't think Chromium and Copper are reactive, I think they are similar on the galvanic table but someone with more knowledge should chime in.

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
Corrosion more commonly occurs between aluminum and copper. I don't think Chromium and Copper are reactive, I think they are similar on the galvanic table but someone with more knowledge should chime in.

Thanks. Chromium is just below nickel, which is just below copper in the table so I guess it should be fine.

 

[aigomorla]

get some clear nail polish.

First polish the copper, then coat it with an invisible layer of nail polish.

That shine will last forever.

The acrlic nail polish will put a layer on top which wont allow oxidation.
Elbow shines forever, and only costed you (well depending on how your wife or GF handles it) a clear bottle of nail polish.