Letter 23034

Looking for solution to darken copper (patina copper)  

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I've Been trying to figure out how to patina copper to a dark color---The problem is-all the formulas out there are for green/blue patinas. You mentioned pool chlorine over night to accomplish a green patina. Would I use the same thing to accomplish a dark patina except I would spray and wipe it off instead?

Kendall Turner
- Upland, California, USA

I am trying to darken new copper tubing to match a Dark Patina Copper Sink. How do I darken the tubing to match?

Wendy Dunn
- Fairport, NY

Liver of sulfur will darken copper to black. Basically, mix liver of sulfur and half a cup of warm water. Mix enough liver of sulfur into the water to turn the solution dark brown (not much liver of sulfur will be needed). Below is a link to a site that has to many different patina formulas. http://www.secure.sciencecompany.com

BA Slacker
- Dallas, Texas

Sourcing:

St. Louis Crafts Liver Of Sulphur 4 oz. bottle

 

Does anyone know a good home solution I can make to turn copper to a blue/black color?

Garry Basinger
sheet metal - Katy, Texas, USA

I need to know how to do a dark patina on standard red flat finish copper. I am not looking for a green or blue patina, but more of an aged look with the dark bronze color. Is there some kind of chemical we can use to achieve this? This is for a backsplash and countertop area.

Thanks!

Jessica Lammers
Interior Design - Blue Ridge, GA, USA

Ed. note: You can get bottles of on Ebay at this link.

FYI folks: "Liver of Sulphur" is also known as "Sulfurated Potash," and is more readily found using that name instead.

"Liver of Sulphur" / "Sulfurated Potash" may be used for a brown to blackish-brown to nearly black patina. (More/longer exposure gets blacker.)

I found an extremely complete list of a wide range of DIY copper patinas at
http://secure.sciencecompany.com/Do-It-Yourself-Patina-Formulas-W12C672.aspx

(I have no affiliation with the referenced company, nor have I ever done business with them. I simply found their extensive list of copper patina formulae in addition to this forum while searching for such info and saw benfit in spreading their info....)

Joseph Maryland
- Southfield, MI, USA

I think the best product to use is Birchwood Casey antique blk finishing gel.
It can be used at room temperature. Being a gel, you can use it on a flat surface or 3 dimensional shape,(no drips), and easy wash-off.
Nim

Nimunter Jehman
conceptual art media - Vancouver, BC, Canada