| Search our quarter-million Q&As |
Home of the finishing HOTLINE since 1989
-----What chemical can I use to turn a copper pipe verdigris?
Q. I want to turn a copper pipe that I am using for a curtain rod verdigris. What chemical can I use to produce the bluish green color?
Randy W [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Washington, DC, USA
2003
A. Hi, Randy. If you are a homeowner wanting to do this for the first time for a window in your home, and wishing only to spend limited time on it, please search the site and you will see some suggestions of chemicals you can try like vinegar ⇦ in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil link] and salt or muriatic acid ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] , but I wouldn't expect professional looking results without a significant effort. An alternative would be to do a vertigris finish with something like Jax Patina [affil link].
If you are interested in beautiful verdigris finishes and patinas of other colors, directed more towards the artist than a home handyman, please try to get access to a copy of the book listed near the top of this page. Good luck with the project!
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
July 17, 2009
Q. I am a lower Secondary student who want to do an experimental Science project.I want to compare which Acid can form most copper verdigris on copper nail? Anyone who know please advise me how to do this experiment and the steps asap. Thanks.
Teresa L. [last name deleted for privacy by Editor] student - Singapore
Sorry! Finishing.com is temporarily Read-Only.
Ted Mooney is retiring but I have several offers to take it over.
We're working hard to make sure we find it the best new home.