An undated unsigned oil painting on a copper support underwent visual and analytical analysis to establish an execution date between the mid-1500s to the mid-1700s. The painting exhibited serious flaking, losses, and evidence of substantial previous interventions indicating a history of delamination at the ground/copper interface. A study was made of the copper carboxylate layer present at the ground/copper interface and an investigation was carried out of four possible consolidants, Paraloid B-72, Mowilith 20, Beva 371b and Laropal A 81, to determine their suitability. Cleaned and oxidized copper coupons were dipped in each of the consolidants, or had oil paint fragments adhered to their surfaces with each polymer. One set was artificially aged in a climatic chamber, and a second set was left in ambient conditions. Polymer films from the dipped coupons were separated from the copper and analysed with SEM/EDS while films in situ were analysed with RBS. Cross sections of dipped films and adhered paint fragments were analysed with SEM/EDS. Elemental mapping was used to establish whether copper ion migration occurred in the synthetic polymers and SEM Back Scatter Images provided information regarding the state of the polymer at the interface of the copper and paint. No evidence of copper ion migration into the polymers was found using these analytical techniques, however, a layer of copper oxide was found on cleaned copper coupons dipped in Paraloid B-72 and Mowilith 20 after artificial aging. Both Beva 371b, which formed a very thick and soft coating, and Laropal A 81, which formed a very thin and brittle film were eliminated as potential consolidants. Paraloid B-72 was preferred over Mowilith 20 due to its greater hardness and tenacity.