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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing 1989-2025
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How to patina new zinc sheeting and make it look old/antique
Q. What does one use to patina new zinc sheet ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and make it look like weathered zinc (blue-grey in finish)? I am an artist who currently works with copper patina, but would like to begin to work with zinc. I would be so grateful for any information.
Thanks!
Deanna Richartist - El Segundo, California, USA
2004
A. You can use 200 gm iron chloride/1 lit water solution (cold immersion, cca. 20 min.)! Good luck!
Goran Budija- Zagreb , Croatia
2004
Q. Thanks Goran,
What does "cold immersion cca 20 minutes" mean?
Thanks!
Deanna Rich [returning]- El Segundo, California, USA
2004
A. 1. I don't know which degreaser you use -- you can use acetone ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] Warning! highly Flammable! or pure alcohol!
2. "cca 20 min" = "approximately 20 minutes".
Good luck!
Goran Budija- Zagreb , Croatia
2004
Q. We are building a new home and have built a bathroom vanity out of wood which we covered in zinc. We ordered the zinc from a metal company. It came in a sheet and we sent it to a sheet metal company to cover it. I now have it ready to install, but it is still brand new and shiny. I know it will age with soap and water over time, but I want it to age now. What can I use to expedite this process?
Beth Crowehome builder / designer - Cleveland, Mississippi
2006
Antiquing a Zinc Floor
Q. Hi; I am a painter but I have been asked to age a floor made up of zinc panels. I have done some research about using copper sulphate ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and hydrochloric acid but I am not sure do I dilute them? And also I need to protect the finish (bearing in mind it's a floor). Does anyone know of any good products? Any insight would be welcome. Thank you.
Tash ShepherdPainter - London, Uk
April 3, 2014
A. If you are sure that your floor is made of zinc than you can use next formula: 2 heaping teaspoons copper sulphate, 1 heaping teaspoon kitchen salt, 1 cup of water. Dark gray to black finish.
Try Future floor finish (or Pledge - new name for same product). Hope it helps and good luck!
Goran Budija- Cerovski vrh Croatia
Adding patina to galvanized metal
Q. This is my situation. I have an outside galvanized metal plant container that I want to add a patina to. I have seen some galvanized containers that actually look like the old lead containers from England. Wondering how to achieve that result. Thanks.
Brian Michaud- Albany, New York USA
September 17, 2019
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Ed. note: Readers may be interested in closely related thread no. 27794, "Safe, even black patina on zinc. Bronze patina on zinc?".
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