Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Antique copper / tiger stripe finish
Q. Hi--
I am a retired guy who restores the old copper soda acid fire extinguishers and I notice from time to time I polish one that appears to have "tiger stripe" copper. Please provide some information on this copper--history, production process, why and when it was used on fire extinguishers.
Thank you ,
Doug Purteeantique fire extinguisher restoration - Fairland, Indiana
2004
Q. I have recently bought a home built in 1919. The hardware has a finish referred to as antique copper also known as tiger stripe or candy stripe. I have been told that due to the non environmentally friendly plating process, it is no longer being done. I would truly appreciate any information.
RFQ: ... or if you do this process please contact me .
Thank you for your time.
Barry Y [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]home owner - Pottstown, Pennsylvania, USA
2004
Ed. note: Sorry, this RFQ is old & outdated, so contact info is no longer available. However, if you feel that something technical should be said in reply, please post it; no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?)
A. Hi Barry. This sounds to me very similar to "oil rubbed bronze" (please search this site for that term) except that in oil rubbed bronze the bright coppery areas are on the high wear edges and the dark areas are in the recesses. Therefore, I think you could use the same techniques except do the blackening is stripes rather than in the recesses. The bright areas would be copper plated or solid copper, then you would darken the stripes with liver of sulfur [on eBay or Amazon] or other blackening agents, then top it off with brass lacquer or automotive clear coat.
Remember though, that beauty is not usually imparted mechanically, but artistically -- so in addition to the chemicals you probably need some artistic sense -- which I hope you don't lack like I do. If you have the artistic touch, even black paint might do. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I restore old copper fire extinguishers (polish to bright finish) -- please explain what tiger stripe copper is and when it was used for fire extinguishers.
Thank you,
Doug Purteehomeowner - Fairland, Indiana, USA
2004
RFQ: I am restoring a 1925 bungalow that has now-degraded door hardware (knobs, backplates, hinges) that once shone in the popular mottled coper/black finish that I have also seen described as "tiger stripe."
Looking for a shop that could refinish about 7 sets--2 exterior and 5 interior.
homeowner - Odenton, Maryland, USA
2006
Ed. note: Sorry, this RFQ is old & outdated, so contact info is no longer available. However, if you feel that something technical should be said in reply, please post it; no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?)
RFQ: I have door hardware for several doors in my house that originally antique copper / tiger stripe finish, door hinges, knobs, escutcheon plates. The finish is very worn on them and I would like to get them refinished to the original look.
home owner - Elwood, Indiana, USA
December 2, 2009
Ed. note: Sorry, this RFQ is old & outdated, so contact info is no longer available. However, if you feel that something technical should be said in reply, please post it; no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?)
RFQ: We are also looking for a company to do this tiger stripe finish. Have you found one yet?
Pam James- Homeville, Pennsylvania USA
August 16, 2013
Zebra finish on copper counter
Q. Hello,
I have been researching how to patina copper. We are considering doing a bar top with copper. Trying to find out the best approach on how to patina it, but also apply a pattern like striping. I have seen one called a zebra patina. What is the best way to get different patterns with patina? Is baking soda solution affective?
Thanks so much
- Chester, California, United States
October 14, 2013
A. Hi Krystal. Because copper is orange-ish, people tend to call a striped finishing of copper "tiger stripe" rather than "zebra stripe". So we appended your question to a thread about "tiger stripe", and you'll probably have greater success googling with that phrase. I doubt that baking soda will achieve what you want, but remember that any chemical which can do what you want done will obviously re-do what you don't want done if it's ever applied to the counter again. So, truth is, you'll probably have to lacquer or clear coat the counter after you get the blackening right. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
October 17, 2013
A. R.Hughes and M.Rowe book, "The Colouring, Bronzing and Patination of Metals" is very good source of info on bimetallic colouring (or partial plate colouring) -- in principle you must work with one solution over pattern plated object (silver plated copper or brass or copper plated silver) -- patina colours only copper but silver not (or silver or nickel or tin). If you like free sources of infos try next booklet on cyanide free plating and colouring of metals:
attachments.wetpaintserv.us/ZLSnLKosv0l3CnE9hGDi7w488720
Hope it helps and good luck!
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
October 18, 2013
Ed. note Jan 2017: Although wetpaintserv.us was a legitimate site when Goran posted this, it is currently a malware site. DON'T GO THERE!! Goran has been kind enough to upload his booklet to https://www.finishing.com/library/budija/budija.pdf.
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