44018

How do you get a brushed, "brown penny" look from new shiny copper? [Arkansas] 

February 15, 2007

I am needing to know how to get a "penny brown" brushed copper appearance, from a shiny new sheet of copper. My wonderful husband, brother and a new friend of the family has built me the most beautiful kitchen I could ever have hoped for, and to top it off, they are putting a piece of copper on my backsplash, over my new stove. They are going to mimic the arch of the hood over my stove. My kitchen has Tuscan colors, and I was hoping to have a brushed copper appearance vs a shiny one.
We found a technique that called for mixing baking soda in hot water in a sprayer bottle, to the point that the baking soda no longer dissolved. What we got after a week's worth of babying it, keeping it moist.... was a very small area that began to change to a greenish patina, not the brownish color. We cleaned the scrap piece of copper with a Windex type solution as recommended, to break the surface tension, but I was hoping there may be a better way... I am not in the industry, I am just interested in how to achieve the results for my wonderful new room that my wonderful hubby has given me.
If someone could even direct me to a book that I could research, I would be most appreciative.
Thank you in advance,
Janet

Janet Robbins
consumer - Fort Smith, AR, USA

Hi, Janet. If you asked someone with no skill to paint a mural on your wall you might end up wishing you hadn't. Similarly you need to know that a certain amount of skill, care, and experience can go a long way in toning copper attractively -- it's not just a matter of slathering on a chemical. But several applications of a mild agent sounds safer than one application of a strong one. So maybe try several applications of Head & Shoulders selenium sulphide shampoo, leaving it on for about 15 minutes each time. It may be too gray-black for you, not brown enough, but try it on your scrap. Lather, rinse, repeat :-)

 
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com Inc. - Brick, NJ

Good for you Janet. We carry a product which will do just this. It convert bright copper through acid reaction to obtain warm brown appearance. You dictate to depth of brown by washing off with fresh water. Contact us for more info.

Barry Feinman Restore It Yourself, Inc Carlsbad, CA, USA

Hi Ted,
Thanks so much for your advice. I'll share it with the guys. They have been so detail oriented about this entire project, I have just sat back and let them have at it, even in the design process!(very unusual I know, but they are...'VERY UNUSUAL GUYS' :)
I know they will take great care with the copper and practice first.
They will take great care with this finishing touch on their prize project. Once they get the finished piece up, I'll be sure to share a picture.
Just out of curiosity, how do manufacturers produce the brushed copper look? Or are the items most often another metal made to look like brushed copper? I enjoy learning the 'process' items go through to attain the desired 'finish'. (no pun intended.he he)
Again, thank you for your time and advice,
Janet

Janet Robbins
- Fort Smith, AR , USA