Look into these
suppliers for
clearcoating solutions -->
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Look into these suppliers for clearcoating solutions --> |
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Letter 790
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--- What can I apply to bright copper to rapidly produce the weathered green appearance? Thanks for any suggestions. Alan Ziskind, M.D.
- Try Getting it powder coated with a patina or other weathered look finish. It may save you a lot of money and hassle. Jim Cummings |
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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.
Ed Budman
- Pennsylvania
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-- Don't know if I can be of any help, but I need help. My wife has given me the task of finishing copper panels in a cabinet over our fireplace. The copper is like a new penny. She would like it to be old penny. Without waiting six months for it to do it on its own, what can I do? Each of the ten panels had a design punched in it, like a basket of flowers, rose bud, act. Save me...!!! Sam P. Wehunt |
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- I am seeking a method to chemically treat new copper counter tops. I would like to see them in a nice brown bronze patina color can you help. if you could give me a formula to treat the surface it would be greatly appreciated. someone else recommended Liver of Sulfur but i cant' find it anywhere to purchase it. thank you so much james acevedo
- Hi, James; hi, Sam. Liver of sulphur is available as a dilute, ready to use liquid, or as a crystal-like solid to be diluted in water, by clicking the banners on the right. Formulas for various color patinas can be found in "Colouring, Bronzing & Patination of Metals [link is to product info at Amazon]". Good luck.
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A beautiful rich deep brown can be achieved on copper by using first the liver (correct name:Potassium Polysulphide) which is available from most chemical suppliers. It comes in the form of solid dry stones which are easily dissolved in water. One small stone, about the size of your smallest fingernail will be enough to mix a solution of 600 ml. Put this in a spray bottle and apply to the copper while consistently heating with a gas torch. Then gently rub down the surface with a wet scourer until you have an even light brown colour. Then reheat the surface, this time applying a weak ferric nitrate, this will richen, redden and darken the brown that you achieved with the liver, when you are happy with the colour, coat the surface with either a wax (floor wax is sufficient) or clearcoat.
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We have just built a bar counter top with copper. I'm want to give it an acid washed, spotted look. Like something was spilled on it or like it was rained on. Do you have any ideas on what to use on it?
Gary Zuk
engineering - West Bloomfield, Michigan
IT is very simple indeed
wet a cloth with HARPIC ' the toilet cleaner'
wipe the copper
wait for one day
gently wash under running water to wash off the remaining
harpic
do not scrub or rub as that will remove the patina formation
powder
after drying spray with clear lacquer to fix the patina
formation
I have been doing this often to give my copper sculptures a patina
coating
Soumyajit Choudhury
- Indian presently in Dubai
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July 21, 2008 Hi all, Pat
Rogers
Hi, Pat. Unfortunately you can't put mixed metals in a solution like that. What resulted is the same idea that your high school chemistry taught you in coating an iron nail with copper by putting it in copper sulphate. Fortunately the coating is very thin. You'll have to polish the copper off of the brass, probably with a stronger polish and perhaps a little buffing wheel for your electric drill. You also can't leave parts sticking partway out of solution like that. You need to put them all the way in or not put them in. Good luck. Regards,
Thank you Ted Pat
Rogers
(returns)
Automotive rubbing compound or cutting compound, which is designed to remove the outermost layer of dull paint, is what I'd try on a buffing wheel for removing this copper plating. I would not use courser steel wool because you may scratch your items. Of course, another approach, if you want to live dangerously, is to put your copper colored brass fenders back in vinegar, this time with some galvanized roofing nails, and see if the copper will deplate from your fender and deposit on the nails, leaving you with brass once again. It is tricky and I wouldn't guarantee success, but it may be possible. Regards,
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I'd like to know if there is any easier way than using the
recommended liver of sulfur and heat to antique copper jewelry beads
to give them the dark brown finish. I am trying to antique beads to
use in my jewelry designs and many beads are a brilliant finish
instead on a burnished or aged finish.
Any help would be very greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Penelope Consales
artist, jewelry maker - Tucson, Arizona
Hi, Penelope. If you are buying finished beads they may already be lacquered, and the lacquer must be removed with Acetone [link is to product info at Rockler] or lacquer thinner [link is to product info at Amazon]. I'm not seeing what's hard about using liver of sulfur: it's dirt cheap, it's readily available, and it's designed to do exactly what you're trying to do.
But if you want a "green" approach, put the jewelry in a plastic baggie with cruahed hard boiled eggs overnight. Good luck.
Regards,
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 Ted Mooney finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |
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April 21, 2009 Hi. I'm wanting to antique some copper wire & beads
and saw the advice to use the liver of sulphur. My concern
is: do I need to finish it with something else afterwards to
protect the wearer and / or the jewelry? Or will an
application of wax be sufficient? Kathy Hutchinson
My name is Ben. I am from Colorado Springs, CO. I just hung approx. six sheets around my customers bar and now they want it with a used pennie/brown patina. how do I accompish that without removing it from the wall.A no fire solution would be great. Thanks in advance! Ben Foley
July 18, 2009 I had untreated copper countertops installed in my
kitchen in May of this year. The aging process has been
unattractive so far, in that it's inconsistent and looks
spotty. Ruth Merkner
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