Thread 126/67
Antique green patina recipe for brass?
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2002Q. I am trying to get an antique green color patina on brass using a recipe that simply calls for
1 gallon water
8 oz. nickel ammonium sulphate [affil link to product info on Amazon]
8 oz. sodium thiosulphate
⇦ on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links]
"simmered" at 160 degrees until desired color is obtained. I used a hotplate, a pyrex container, and a thermometer; everything seems in order.
I got an icky brownish-black patina. I started with cleaned (sanded and pumiced) brass. Any thoughts or better recipe suggestions?
Thanks,
Amy L [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]jewelry - Brooklyn, New York
publicly reply to Amy L
Q. I'd like to know how to do this, too!
Kerry F [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Fort Knox, Kentucky
2002
publicly reply to Kerry F
A. I just found a patina but have not tried it out. I think it should work since I know ammonia ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil links] was a main ingredient of a green patina used in my high school metals class.
2 parts white vinegar
⇦in bulk on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links]
1.5 parts non-detergent ammonia
.5 parts non-iodized salt
Good luck!
Becky K [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Vonore, Tennessee
2003
publicly reply to Becky K
Q. Sir,
I need a technique to make polished Brass to Old Green Brass finish. And also any method to make finish to last?
Gurmeet S [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]hardware and metal exports - Noida, UP, India
2004
publicly reply to Gurmeet S
Q. Hi-
Has anyone gotten the green result?
if so... was it the technique w/the ammonia...or another way?
- Iowa City, Iowa
2005
publicly reply to Jerry M
A. For a green patina on brass or bronze use a mixture of copper nitrate ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil links] (1 teaspoon to 8 oz of distilled water). Heat up the brass with a torch until water just boils off of it and spray or dab on the mixture with a natural bristle brush.
Dan R [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Los Angeles, California
2005
publicly reply to Dan R
A. I tried cat litter ⇦[this on eBay or Amazon affil links] and white vinegar, enough to wet the litter through ... this was with copper and it turned a beautiful greenish blue.
Eva Hill- Franklin, Tennessee
2007
publicly reply to Eva Hill
A. You can get a pretty good green-blue on brass or copper with: copper sulphate, ammonium chloride (or plain clear liquid ammonia) and distilled water. Adjusting the amount of copper sulphate
⇦ on
eBay or
Amazon [affil links] will adjust the amount of blue you get.
Am. Chlor. will impart a yellow green, while ammonia will give more of a blue.
- Sanford, Michigan
April 25, 2008
publicly reply to Victoria LaCosse
September 20, 2015
A. Here's what I did.
1. Give brass an ammonia bath, let dry.
2. Give brass a heavy salt water bath, let dry.
3. Heat oven to 350 °F. Line a pan with non stick foil. Dab on some Nair [affil link to product info on Amazon]. That's right - the hair removal stuff.
4. Bake letters until dry.
5. Repeat process above if not enough green for your taste.
My mailbox letters are now an aged, green color.
- Grapevine, Texas, USA
publicly reply to D. Rogers
Hi D. Thanks! ... but to clarify, people should use an old toaster oven in the garage to try stuff like this. Putting materials of this nature into your food oven is a very bad idea.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
September 2015
publicly reply to Ted Mooney
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