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Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Speed up the patina process on hot dipped galvanized steel

Q. I have a need to speed up the natural patina process on hot dipped galvanized metal. Do you know of a chemical stain or patina that can be applied either in the field or after the HDG process? I'm hoping to get a grey or grey/black color.

Ron H [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Lake Oswego, Oregon
2003

Q. Did you receive a response to your question about a patina for galvanized metal? I have a similar need.

Thanks

Mel E [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Austin, Texas
2004

Black Patina for Zinc/Pewter/Camé

on eBay or

Amazon

(affil links)

A. Hi. Yes, you can buy patinating solutions for zinc .

For technical discussions on the subject, please put "zinc patina" into the search box near the top left of the page. Good luck!

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

A. SSS chemical makes a patina solution for galvanized steel. It is called tri grey or tri black. I recommend using their phosphoric acid cleaner before though.

Tim

Tim stone
- Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA
March 13, 2008

Q. Hi- I'm working on a sculpture with someone and we are using thin sheets of galvanized steel to create a form- we are thinking through possible treatments, and are both unfamiliar with this material. All possibilities are welcome -- most of all those which are easy and not too toxic. Is there an easy way to turn it black? To oxidize it quickly? Thanks for your help.

Joe Stanley
artist - New York, New York
June 5, 2008

A. Hi Joe. We appended your question to an earlier thread on the same subject. Yes, it's possible to add a black (or at least blackish) patina onto zinc surfaces like galvanizing but ...

Heavy hot dip galvanizing is the king of corrosion-proof finishes, sometimes lasting 75-100 years with no maintenance, and the patina would presumably not last nearly that long. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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