Antique Patina on Copper

Does anyone know how to get an antique patina on freshly polished copper?

I'm looking for a process that will work fast, I'm hoping that something can be applied to the copper.

 

salt water, ask lady liberty....

 

Don't laugh, but pee on it. The also make antiqueing stuff sold at craft stores

 

Start by not polishing the copper.

 

lol.....ya but I bet you can get a better antiqued affect starting with polished copper, over raw copper. IMO

 

Horse piss. seriously. thats how roofing companies that put copper roof and gutter work up, get em where they won't blind you...

 

how in the heck do they get the horse on the roof?

 

You need to look up 'liver of sulfur'. If it's a small job, get the liquid type.

 

I found this via google.

I'd get a fresh piece of copper and make up a solution to spray on and try it out first. If it works, then you could do the whole car with it.



http://www.finishing.com/0600-0799/790.shtml

The patina that you wish to apply to copper is a form of Copper carbonate that usually forms over a long period of time on items left outdoors. However to speed things up, the metal finisher has mixtures that can do almost the same thing. I would recommend that you seek out a lamp restoration shop that does metal finishing and plating. Any chemicals should be used carefully, and with full protective gear as is appropriate. One suggested formula is:

Copper Nitrate 4 ozs.
Ammonium Chloride 4 ozs.
Calcium Chloride 4 ozs.
Water 1 Gallon

Parts may be immersed, and the solution allowed to dry on. Repeat. Another bath used many years ago was a solution of Copper Carbonate and ammonia. However, due to the fumes from the ammonia, I would not suggest that you try this.

 

Google yielded this gem...


Patina Formulas for
Brass, Bronze and Copper


http://www.sciencecompany.com/patinas/patinaformulas.htm

Here in the metro we have a nifty little hobby/science store for all the "eye of newt" type chemicals. A lot of useful stuff is getting hard to find thanks to drugs and bombs.

http://www.hms-beagle.com/

 

Horse piss doesn't work, you have to use a solution of 25% panther piss and 75% humming bird shit.

 

If you don't want to mess with mixing all them chemicals, try Ivory Liquid dish soap...no joke...

EW

 

what are you applying patina on??
and what color patina??
heating copper gives some AMAZING colors...
JAX chemicals make all sorts of patinas...ya can buy it by the gallon or quart..
it works great and fast...
http://www.jaxchemicals.com/

your local metal supply house may also sell patinas..
personally i swear by JAX..i just used there Steel and Iron Blackener on my wheels..came out killer-

How ever applying patina is an art..there is a process for sure, no two pieces of metal are the same.. like everything else it'll take some trial and error before ya get it right-
you may want to think about sealing it after.. wax or clear coat works great..but again it depends on your application-

good luck, and post some before and after shots!

 

That will darken it right? Piss will turn it green.

 

vinegar

 

(shakes head)

Shine = good!

 

Now, this is just my high-school chemistry talking ... but what about seltzer? It's carbonic acid. Seems like that might be a good bet for forming copper carbonate.

 

Thanks for that link its usefull info un like so many other posts on here

Dave Hitch

 

Here is a link to the Copper Development Assoc. they have a lot of info on copper patina.


http://www.copper.org/applications/architecture/finishes.html

 

Usually the local metal yard will have patinas and finishing stains for metals.

or

Sno Bowl Toilet Bowl cleaner for Red Patina
Muriatic Acid for Green Patina
Liver of Sulpher for Black Patina

 

Beleive it or not try beer. A lot of builders by me have used this trick on new construction, copper entry ways, porch roofs etc. Anyway goodluck!

 

Swimming pool water....

 

-------------------
Before or after you run it through
the horse???

Mart3406
===========================

 

By the time you collect all the humming bird shit, the copper would be oxidized already!

Hmmmm.... There may be a hidden lesson in this method!

 

Since we are at it:
Vomit ... includes stomach's own HCL and much more acidic/corrosive than piss.

 

Amazing concept; 'applying patina'............. Akin to a traditional hot rod with
base/clear paint job = phony.

Natural patina on copper in high humidity = green
Natural patina on copper in normal atmosphere = look at an old penny

 

I stil like the horse piss way. I just don't want to be the guy to have to go collect it!

 

and how he got into my pajamas, i'll never know!

 

Machinery Handbook has a section on chemicals to age different metals. My copy is at work, but I'm sure someone will check theirs.

 

Give me a twenty, point me toward Del Taco and wait around a few hours.