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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