A protective green pigment is formed on metals like bronze, brass or copper over time. This verdigris patina that forms after years of weathering is very different from the original gleaming copper color. Such a patina can be created today by using products that speed up the natural process. A wide range of such products are available from many local and online stores.
Burying is one of the oldest methods of creating patinas and some people still use variations of this method today. A technique used in the Middle Ages to speed up the oxidization process was to bury copper strips fastened to a wooden block in some dung for a few weeks. Objects buried in containers filled with an absorbent material like sawdust or kitty litter dampened with chemicals, can result in rich colors and textures.
There were many other methods used in the past to hasten the oxidation process. Some involved placing copper plates in clay pots filled with distilled wine. Another method was to heat vinegar and hang the copper plates over the pot. The green crust formed was used by artists as pigment. All these processes still involved having to wait some time for a result.
It is much easier to create such a finish today. There are many products on the market devoted to this purpose. These products enable a chemical reaction to take place, accelerating oxidation and creating special results. One can never predict exactly what the finished article will look like as various factors affect the outcome and this adds to the appeal.
Applying these products is not difficult but some experimentation may be required to produce the result you are looking for. Some of the factors affecting the results are the chemicals used and the number of layers applied. The type of metal used also affects the color produced. A bluish green is common with copper and a bluish black with bronze.
Some patinas are applied cold without any heat. These products are usually opaque and are applied in layers onto room temperature metals. Layers can be applied until one is happy with the resulting color. A small amount of the chemical can be decanted into a disposable container to avoid dipping the brush into the product container. Applying too much product can cause patinas to build up too fast making thick chalky areas that will flake off.
Other products require heat for application. The advantage of using heat is that it causes the chemical to penetrate more deeply and thus bond more tightly. However, great care has to be taken when using flammable chemicals and heat. Using gloves and protective glasses is necessary and breathing in fumes should be avoided as they could be toxic.
The popularity of this type of finish with designers, landscapers and homeowners means that many such products are available today from numerous outlets, including online stores. These products allow for a touch of rustic charm to be added to any object without having to wait for years. Countless different objects such as pots, statues, screens, doors and even jewelry can be given interesting textures and colors, adding to their allure.
Burying is one of the oldest methods of creating patinas and some people still use variations of this method today. A technique used in the Middle Ages to speed up the oxidization process was to bury copper strips fastened to a wooden block in some dung for a few weeks. Objects buried in containers filled with an absorbent material like sawdust or kitty litter dampened with chemicals, can result in rich colors and textures.
There were many other methods used in the past to hasten the oxidation process. Some involved placing copper plates in clay pots filled with distilled wine. Another method was to heat vinegar and hang the copper plates over the pot. The green crust formed was used by artists as pigment. All these processes still involved having to wait some time for a result.
It is much easier to create such a finish today. There are many products on the market devoted to this purpose. These products enable a chemical reaction to take place, accelerating oxidation and creating special results. One can never predict exactly what the finished article will look like as various factors affect the outcome and this adds to the appeal.
Applying these products is not difficult but some experimentation may be required to produce the result you are looking for. Some of the factors affecting the results are the chemicals used and the number of layers applied. The type of metal used also affects the color produced. A bluish green is common with copper and a bluish black with bronze.
Some patinas are applied cold without any heat. These products are usually opaque and are applied in layers onto room temperature metals. Layers can be applied until one is happy with the resulting color. A small amount of the chemical can be decanted into a disposable container to avoid dipping the brush into the product container. Applying too much product can cause patinas to build up too fast making thick chalky areas that will flake off.
Other products require heat for application. The advantage of using heat is that it causes the chemical to penetrate more deeply and thus bond more tightly. However, great care has to be taken when using flammable chemicals and heat. Using gloves and protective glasses is necessary and breathing in fumes should be avoided as they could be toxic.
The popularity of this type of finish with designers, landscapers and homeowners means that many such products are available today from numerous outlets, including online stores. These products allow for a touch of rustic charm to be added to any object without having to wait for years. Countless different objects such as pots, statues, screens, doors and even jewelry can be given interesting textures and colors, adding to their allure.
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