Summary for darkening brass came Discussion
Darkening brass came on stained glass is the challenge Susan Amend raises: she wants an even patina on large 40" x 57" panels, but Sculpt Nouveau patinas are hard to apply uniformly and can etch the painted vitreous enamel on the glass if they get on it. She explains her cleaning routine—scrubbing with a non-metallic pad and 0000 steel wool, then denatured alcohol—and says brushing left irregular marks. The thread asks whether there is a safer product for darkening the brass, how to apply it with minimal contact to the glass, and how to remove excess patina from both sides of the large panels, ideally by hosing them down. The practical discussion centers on finding an application method that controls runoff and protects the fired glass surface, since the panels are too large to handle easily.
Q. I am making a stained glass window, a grid pattern, with brass came (the strips of metal that are soldered and hold the glass together). The panels are big, about 40″ x 57″. I am trying to darken the brass using Sculpt Nouveau patinas but am having trouble getting an even patina coating. Also, if the patina gets on the painted glass (paints are oxides and glass frit fired to 1100 °F), it etches the surface, not desired. Am wondering if there is a product to darken the brass that would not damage the painted glass surface.
I am cleaning the brass and rubbing with a non-metallic scrubby, triple 000. Drying, a bit of denatured alcohol clean, drying, and soft wiping with rag with denatured alcohol. Then applying the patina. Using a brush left irregular marks. How to apply and get as little patina on the glass as possible. Also, how to clean off the patina as these panels are big and difficult to handle, like to hose it down. Both sides need to be done.
Thanks
s
Susan Amend
stained glass artist – Ojai, California USA
September 20, 2015