Patina Handout for 8-6-11 Demonstration

Brenda Dianne Cinkovich


Pocosin Arts Metals Guild

Patina Handout for 8/6/2011
Metals Studio Demonstration



Basics

Preparation

• Clean the metal

o Use pumice, sandpaper, Scotchbrite, scratchbrush

o Do NOT use steel wool or buffing compounds

o If the metal has grease on it, use an ultra sonic cleaner or scrub with a solution of ammonia, soap and water.

o When clean water will sheet off the metal rather than beading on the surface

o Dry with a soft, absorbent cloth

• Handle the metal by its edges

• Right before coloring, wipe the surfaces with an alcohol-type solvent.

Containers

o Use plastic containers for mixing coloring agents that will be reserved for patinas.

 Tall clear and clean plastic jars such as peanut butter jars or Miracle Whip containers would work well.

o A good container for most fuming is a glass canning jar.

Preservation: You will need to seal the surface to keep the color.

o You may spray with a clear, non-yellowing acrylic or lacquer (very noxious)

o You may use a wax, I prefer Renaissance wax but you could use Museum Wax, or a paste wax

• Safety

o When using recipes with harsh chemicals or ones you are not sure about wear the properly rated respirator

o Wear rubber or Nitrile gloves

o Use good ventilation


Copper Recipes



Green

o Ammonia

o Distilled Water

 Dip or brush ammonia on metal

 Pour a small amount of ammonia in a glass dish

 Place the small dish of ammonia in a plastic or glass container

 Suspend metal above but not touching the ammonia

 When color matures, rinse, dry with clean soft cloth



Blue

o Distilled Water

o Non-iodized Salt

o Ammonia

 Wet the metal surface with the water

 Sprinkle on a layer of salt

 Pour a small amount of ammonia into a small glass dish which fits into a sealable plastic or glass container.

 Suspend the metal over but not touching the ammonia

 Seal the container

Blue

o White Vinegar

o Non-iodized Salt

o Ammonia

 Wet the metal surface with the vinegar

 Sprinkle on a layer of salt

 Pour a small amount of ammonia into a small glass dish which fits into a sealable plastic or glass container.

 Suspend the metal over but not touching the ammonia

 Seal the container

Red

o 1 Tablespoon borax

o Distilled water

 Mix ingredients

 Dip clean copper into the borax solution and place on a fire brick.

 Heat copper to orange hot

 Place back into the borax solution

 When the color is obtain remove and rinse



Black

o 1 hard boiled egg

 Cut egg into (you do not have to peel the egg)

 Place the egg into a glass jar

 Suspend the metal above the egg

 Seal the jar

 When color is matured, remove the metal and rinse

 If the color is not dark enough, repeat with a different egg.

Bibliography



Bova K. as quoted by Lang J. [2011]

Thompson J. Art Jewelry online. [2010] Kalmbach Publishing Co.

Hughes and Rowe. [1982]. Coloring, Bronzing and Patination of Metals. Watson-Guptill, NY.

McCreight T. [1991]. The Complete Metalsmith: An Illustrated Handbook. Worcester, Mass.

McCreight T et Bsullak N. [2001]. Color on Metal. Guild Publishing.



Additional Resource

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

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