A thin colored film on the surface of metals like iron, steel, bronze, brass, and copper can develop over time.This look can be used in artwork and decorative pieces.Exposure to the elements will cause many kinds of metal to change color over time, but if you want to be more intentional with your patination, you can use household ingredients, chemicals, and special paints.
Step 1: You have to collect your necessities.
Most of these items can be found in your home.If you want to soak your metal in a solution of a plastic container or cheap bowl, you'll need a suitable container.You can reuse the container as you please, but it must be deep enough to completely submerge the metal you'll be patinating.You'll also need a clean rag, paper towels, metal, plastic, rubber gloves, and salt.
Step 2: Prepare to wash the metal.
If you want the best results, always clean your metal and container.It's important to clean and dry your metal and container to make sure fingerprints don't ruin it.Most of the time, a few drops of dish soap and a scrub brush will do the trick.The metal pieces should be soaked in degreaser.It will remove build up in nooks and crannies.Cleaning steel with Trisodiumphosphate can be very effective.Allow the metal to dry before rinsing it off.While cleaning and handling metal, you can protect your skin from harsh cleaning agents and prevent fingerprints from being re-transferred.
Step 3: Put the metal in water.
If you want to completely submerge the metal, you need to add vinegar to your container.Add an equal amount of salt to the vinegar, stir it thoroughly, and insert the metal so it can sit in the solution.Allow the metal to soak in the solutions for half an hour.Depending on factors such as soak time, metal composition, temperature, and more, this solution can produce many colors of patina.If you want to get more intense oxidation, first soak the metal.Salt and hydrogen peroxide can be added to the vinegar.
Step 4: If desired, intensify oxidation with peroxide.
Adding hydrogen peroxide and salt will cause steel to rust.Adding color, character, and realism to your patina can be done with this.Add hydrogen peroxide and salt to the solution for every four parts white vinegar in your container.If you have four cups of vinegar in your container, you need to add one cup hydrogen peroxide, and one half cup of salt.If you don't know the amount of white vinegar in your container, pour it into a measuring cup and then return it to its container.
Step 5: Allow your metal to dry.
For a natural look, you may want to leave your metal without a coat of sealant.This type of patina can be susceptible to fading.After your metal is dry, you can protect it with a clear coat.A smooth, hard barrier will be created between your patina and the forces that cause it to fade.There are waxes.You might find regular beeswax or renaissance wax helpful for preserving the surface of the patina and its color.
Step 6: Determine the composition of your metal.
Some metals are made up of a single component, like gold and copper, but others are combinations like brass and steel.Some chemicals will work and some won't.If you calculate the density of your metal, you can determine if it is one of the following common metals/alloys.It has a density of 2.7 g/ cm3 with most of its alloys.It's usually copper which is reddish in color.The density of deoxidized copper is 9.1 g/ cm3 (.322 lbs/in3).Iron is lustrous and gray in hue.Cast iron has a density of 7.5 g/ cm3 (.270 lbs/in3), while wrought iron and steel have the same density.Silver is bright and shiny.nickel silver has a density of.303 lbs/in3.
Step 7: Pick the best chemical treatment.
Now that you know the type of metal you're working with, you need to research what kind of chemical treatment will work best for it.Pre-mixed metal coloring solutions are one of the common treatments.Many of them work well on copper, brass, and bronze.Baldwin's Patina is suited for copper and steel clays as well as brass, bronze, and copper metals.It works for many metals and alloys with the exception of brass, gold, aluminum, and stainless steel.
Step 8: Prepare the metal for weathering.
The surface of your metal could be polluted.After scrubbing it with dish soap and water, air dry it.If you want to clean dirtier pieces of metal, soak it in a degreaser overnight, rinse it with water, then allow it to dry.You can prevent the transfer of oil from your hands to the metal with clean gloves.
Step 9: Follow the procedures for safe handling.
Many of the chemicals used to create a patina give off dangerous fumes that can cause harm or death if they build up, so work in an area with good airflow.Follow the directions that came with your chemicals carefully.Your hands should not come into contact with chemicals.Gloves made of plastic or rubber should be worn at all times when handling metal or chemicals.Keep chemicals out of your eyes and mouth by wearing protective eyewear and a mask.Many of these can cause irritation, illness, or worse.
Step 10: Apply chemicals with care.
Depending on the chemical treatment you've chosen for your metal, you may have to apply it directly to the metal's surface, prepare it in a container, dunk it, and so on.Follow the instructions on your treatment's label.Depending on the number of applications and soak time, many chemical treatments will change color.On the first dunking, there will be yellow/gold, pink/red, turquoise/ purple, and gray.It is possible that some chemical treatments need to reach a certain temperature.LOS should be prepared in hot water.
Step 11: Handle treated metal with care.
After you've applied the treatment, there may be harmful chemicals on the metal.It can be made safe by covering the metal with baking soda and then rinsing it clean.Before your metal is safe to handle barehanded, you may only need a quick rinse with clean water.Specific neutralizing agents may be required to make the solution harmless.
Step 12: If necessary, neutralize the treatment.
Chemicals will be dangerous after being prepared.Instructions for neutralization and disposal should be on the label of these chemicals.Baking soda can be added to neutralize chemical solutions if the chemical comes with a separate neutralizing agent.Exposure to light and air causes LOS to break down.Leaving a container of LOS open in a sunny area for a day will make it better.Children and animals should be kept out of aventilated area with any chemicals left out.
Step 13: If you want to protect your patina, seal it.
Adding polish with a sealant, like a clear coat of acrylic, beeswax, or renaissance wax, can preserve the color and consistency of your patina.For the most realistic look, sealed might be the best option.
Step 14: Purchase the supplies for your project.
You need a special kind of paint that has metal particles in it.This is a surfacer.A special solution will be used to create that look.You'll need containers for paint and sealant, Degreaser, Gloves Metal, Plastic/rubber gloves, and Foam brush for this project.
Step 15: Your work area is ready.
Fumes from the paint and solution can cause injury or death in areas with poor air flow.For this project, choose a wellventilated work area and a stable work surface.Paint can sometimes spread where you don't want it to.You can catch paint droplets in your work area by laying a tarp or newspaper down.You may be able to work straight from the container or you may want to pour these into separate containers.If you decide to use a separate container for oxidizing paint, be sure to mix the paint with a stirrer thoroughly so it is consistent throughout.
Step 16: The metal needs to be prepared.
The surface of your metal can be polluted with dirt, oil, and other substances.Most metal can be cleaned with a little dish soap, warm water, and a good scrub.Allow it to dry before applying the paint.The best results come from the most thorough cleaning.An overnight soak in a degreaser will remove the contaminants from the crevices.Gloves will prevent you from leaving fingerprints, which can cause the patina to change.
Step 17: Apply your oxidizer paint.
The small metal particles in the paint can cause inconsistencies in your patina.If you want the paint to be smooth and consistent, you have to mix it with a paint stirrer.The paint should be applied with a clean foam brush.Follow the directions of your paint's brand for the best results.Two thin coats of paint should be applied with one hour of drying time between coats.You may need a few coats on your surface before it is completely covered with paint.
Step 18: Add the solution to it.
Wait until the paint is tacky to the touch after the second coat.While checking tackiness, be sure to wear your gloves.Use liberal applications of the patina solution to create an intense effect.Consistency leads to patchy patination.Use gradual applications of the solution to intensify the effect.You're less likely to overshoot if you do this.Wait for the change in color.The time it takes to oxidize can be influenced by many factors.The color should change in 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 19: Wait until it is dry, then adjust the patina as you see fit.
You will be able to see how the paint interacts with the solution at this point.Once the paint and solution are dry, you can modify the patina to your liking.Like paint, your imitation can fade over time.This can be prevented with a thin layer of clear sealant.