Unforgivun Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I know there are many many posts on different copper patina's. I would like to sort of condense them. Often times you'll see someone mention "you can use BLAH BLAH BLAH and it will give you a green patina". But then they don't tell you HOW to use that chemical in order to get the desired results. Triw posted a link to a website with a BUNCH of patina formulas that I feel deserves to be posted here as well. I have done so and provided a few notes to make them a bit easier to understand. For people that aren't used to pints, tsp, tbsp etc. 1 quart= 2 pints 1 pint = 473ml (roughly 16oz) "A pint is a pound, the world around!" 1 tbsp = 3 tsp 1 tsp = 5ml 1ml = 1cc 1oz = (approx) 30gm weight/30ml volume 1 grain is approximately 30mg, so 33 grains is roughly 1 gram So if a formula says 1/4 oz you need to weigh out 7.1gm of something.Please, when using any powder, WEIGH the powder using a scale if the instructions read as a weight. Measuring by weight is much more accurate than by volume. You'll get a better patina and be happier with the result. So if the formula says to use 1/2 teaspoonful, by all means use a measuring scoop that reads either 2.5ml or 1/2 teaspoonful, but if it says to use 8oz, please do not use a 1 cup measuring spoon. 1. Light to Dark Brown IngredientsFerric Nitrate.. 1/2 tsp Distilled Water... 1 pint Process Heat metal and apply liquid. (Red to reddish brown has also been reported using this recipe.) 2. Brown to Black IngredientsSulfurated Potash - grape sized lump (crushed). Distilled Water - 1 pint Process Hot or cold process. Use fresh solution each time. 3. Blackish Brown IngredientsFerric Nitrate.... 2 oz Distilled Water... 1 pint Sulfurated Potash.... 1/4 oz Process Hot process. Mix in the order given. 4. Florentine Brown IngredientsFerric Chloride... 1 tsp Ferric Nitrate... 1/2 tsp Distilled Water... 1 pint Process This old Italian formula produces a rich brown patina. Apply evenly with a brush, sponge, or sprayer and let it dry. When a light brown rust color appears rinse well with cool water. Dry with newspaper - it is very important to use newspaper. You may want to use a slightly damp paper. Burnish the surface with steel wool or wire brushes. Leave over night Repeat the process for darker result. When finished, wax over the patina to darken and set the color. 5. Antique Green IngredientsAmmonium Chloride.... 1/3 oz Cupric Sulfate.... 3oz Distilled Water... 1 quart Process Hot process. Solution hot (180 to 190°F), metal hot (200°F), cold wash water applied after metal has cooled to around 100°F. Wash solution over metal surface, let dry, then wash piece in cool water. Repeat until color develops. 6. Basic Green IngredientsCupric Nitrate....1 tsp Distilled Water... 1 pint Process Hot process, semi-transparent patina. Heat metal and apply a fresh mixture for each coloring. 7. Blue Green IngredientsSodium Thiosulfate... 1/4oz Ferric Nitrate.... 2 oz Distilled Water... 1 quart Process Hot process. Solution hot (180 to 190°F), metal hot (200°F), cold wash water applied after metal has cooled to around 100°F. Wash solution over metal surface, let dry, then wash piece in cool water. Repeat until color develops. For Yellow Green, dip in dilute nitric acid, then wash and dry. 8. Cold Process Green IngredientsCupric Nitrate... 40 gm Ammonium Chloride... 40gm Calcium Chloride... 40gm Distilled Water to make 1 liter Process A cold process, opaque patina. Frog green results after several applications, 1/2 hour intervals. Color is not satisfactory alone. Combines well with most brown and black cold process patinas. 9. Light Green IngredientsAmmonium Chloride... 16 units Sodium Chloride... 16 units Cupric Sulfate... 16 units. Ammonium Hydroxide... 16 units I'm not really sure what they mean by UNITS, but it doesn't really matter, its equal parts of everything. Process A cold process, opaque patina which should be applied at 12 hour intervals for several days. For deeper green add 16 units of cupric sulfate. 10. Green IngredientsSodium Thiosulfate... 8oz Lead Acetate... 1 to 3 oz. (Trial and error for certain levels) Distilled Water... 1 gal. Process A cold process that is said to work well on brass 11. Green - Blue (Flemish) IngredientsSodium Thiosulfate... 8oz Lead Acetate... 1 to 3 oz Distilled Water... 1 gal. Process Temperature at 170 to 190°F, a hot process especially for brass. 12. Purple to Light Green IngredientsSodium Chloride... 5 parts. Ammonium Hydroxide... 4 parts. Process Parts by weight. Early stages of this recipe produce purple. Additional applications and chemical action turn the metal light green. 13. Transparent Blue IngredientsSodium Thiosulfate... 60gm Nitric Acid Concentrated... 4gm Distilled Water... 1 quart Process A transparent, dip process patina. A preservative such as paste wax or polyurethane is necessary. May produce a grey blue when tap water is used. 14. Blue IngredientsSulfurated Potash... 15gm Ammonium Chloride... 200gm Distilled Water 1 quart Process Brush onto surface. 15. Straw Yellow IngredientsFerric Nitrate... 1/2 tsp Distilled Water... 1/2 pint Process Heat metal and apply hot liquid. 16. Golden Yellow IngredientsSodium Thisosulfate... 1/4oz Ferric Nitrate... 2oz Distilled Water 1 quart Process Heat solution to a boil. Dip. 17. Deep Rust Red IngredientsCupric Nitrate... 48 grains (1.44gram) Ammonium Chloride... 48 grains (1.44 gram) Calcium Chloride... 20 grains (0.6 gram) Cupric Sulfate... 10 grains (0.3 gram) Nitric Acid 10% soln Distilled Water... 4 oz Not sure why they specified grains, so I wrote the conversions in grams as well. Process Brush to surface for color. Then dip into diluted (1 acid:8 water) Nitric acid for 1/2 hour, remove, wash and dry. 18. Purple IngredientsSodium Chloride... 5 parts - DO NOT USE TABLE SALT - If you use table salt you will not achieve the desired affect as IODIZED salt has iodine in it. KOSHER salt with no additives is available at most markets and will work for this. Ammonium Hydroxide... 4 parts Ammonium Chloride... 5 parts Glacial Acetic Acid... 4 parts Distilled Water... 32 parts Process Parts by weight. Brush to surface. 19. Antique White IngredientsBismuth Nitrate... 2 tsp Distilled Water... 8 oz. Process Heat metal and apply liquid. Variations of this formula add a pinch of Sulfurated Potash, Ferric Nitrate, or Cupric Nitrate for a slight coloring effect. Formulas Suggested for Specific Metals. 20. Red - semi-matt (for Copper & Copper Plate) Ingredients("A") Cupric Sulfate... 25gm ("B") Ammonium Chloride... 0.5gm Distilled Water... 1L Process Boil immersion ("A") 15 min. Boil immersion ("A")+("B") 10 min. Immerse in boiling cupric sulfate solution about 15 min. or until color well developed. Remove to hot water while ammonium chloride is added to the cupric sulfate solution. Then immerse about 10 min. Remove and wash in hot water. Dry and finish.Important note: In general, chemically induced finishes are unsuitable for use on articles to be used with food. 21. Dull Pink (for Copper & Copper Plate) IngredientsCupric Nitrate... 1 tsp Nitric Acid 10%... 100ml Distilled Water... 1L Process Hot immersion - 5 min. Immerse in hot solution (140-158°F, 60-70°C) which etches surface. Remove after 5 min., wash in warm water and air dry. Wax finish. 22. Red-Purple Satin (for Cast Bronze and Brass) IngredientsCupric Sulfate... 25gm Distilled Water... 1L Process Boiling immersion (10 to 30 min.) Immerse in boiling solution. A reddish orange color begins after 2-3 min. and deepens with continued immersion. When a reddish-purple color is attained from 10 to 30 min. remove and wash well in hot water. Dry and wax finish if choose. 23. Orange-Brown (for Cast Bronze and Brass) IngredientsCuprice Acetate... 25gm Cupric Sulfate... Distilled Water... 1L Process Heat immersion (15 min) Immerse in hot solution (176°F, 80°C). Color develops gradually and remove after 15 min. Wash and dry wax finish if choose 24. Black - semi-gloss (for Cast Bronze and Brass) IngredientsSodium Thiosulfate... 50gm Ferric Nitrate... 12.5gm Distilled Water... 1L Process Hot immersion (20 min.) Immerse in hot solution (140-158°F, 60-70°C). In one minute the surface is colored blue-purple. This recedes to a brown color, then changing to gray. After 20 min., remove, washing in hot water and dry in air. Handle as little as possible. 25. Blue Green (for Cast Bronze and Brass) IngredientsCupric Sulfate... 20gm Cupric Acetate... 20gm Ammonium Chloride... 10gm Acetic Acid (6% soln).. to form a paste Process Applied paste - several days. Using a mortar and pestle, grind ingredients to a creamy paste with the acetic acid. Apply paste to object with a soft brush giving a thick coating. Dry for one day. Wash dry residue away under cold water using a soft brush. Apply a thin layer of paste with a soft cloth and dry again for one day. Wash off residue again. Apply thin layer and dry until good variegated patina is achieved. When treatment completed, dry thoroughly. May be waxed. 26. Golden Yellow (for Cast Bronze and Brass) IngredientsCupric Sulfate... 50gm Ferrous Sulfate... 5gm Zinc Sulfate... 5gm Potassium Permanganate... 2.5gm Distilled Water... 1L Process Boiling immersion (15 min.) Immerse object in boiling solution. A dark brown layer forms on surface after 1-2 min. Remove object and bristle-brush under hot water. Re-immerse and repeat process after 2 min. if necessary. Immerse again to approximately 15 min. remove and wash thoroughly in hot water using a bristle brush if necessary. Dry and wax finish of choice. 27. Blue Green - semi-matt (for Cast Bronze and Brass) IngredientsCupric Acetate... 20gm Ammonium Chloride Distilled Water... 1 L Process Applied liquid. With mortar and pestle, grind ingredients with a little water. Then add to remaining water. Dab and wipe on sparingly with soft cloth, to leave an evenly moist surface. Allow to dry in air. Repeat procedure once a day for several days as color develops. Dry for several days during which time the patina develops further. When there is no more surface change, wax to finish. The most important part is to let it dry throughly between applications and up to two weeks before waxing. 28. Brown - Greenish Yellow (for Cast Bronze and Brass) IngredientsCupric Nitrate... 80gm Nitric Acid 10%... 100ml NOTE - if you have nitric acid, you can use distilled water to make a 10% solution. 10ml of nitric acid and 90ml of distilled water =100ml of 10% soln. Distilled Water... 1 L Process Immerse in hot solution (140-158°F, 60-70°C) to cause etching of the surface and gradual darkening. After 5 minutes remove and wash in warm water. Allow to air dry. When dry, wax finish. 29. Reddish Brown (For Cast Bronze and Brass) IngredientsCupric Sulfate... 125gm Sodium Acetate... 12.5gm Distilled Water... 1 L Process Boiling immersion (10-15 min) The color will develop after 10 - 15 min. Remove and wash in hot water. Dry thoroughly, wax finish. 30. Black (For Cast Bronze and Brass) IngredientsSodium Thiosulfate... 6.25gm Ferric Nitrate... 50gm Distilled Water... 1 L Process Heat immersion - 1 minute. When article is immersed in hot solution (120-140°F, 50-60°C) a succession of colors is produced. It changes to a purplish color after about 45 seconds. The color darkens quickly and the article is removed after about 1 minute. Wash thoroughly in hot water and air dry, wax finish. 31. Variegated Gold-Brown (For Cast Bronze and Brass) IngredientsPotassium Permanganate... 10gm Distilled Water... 1 L Process Hot immersion (3-5 min.) Immerse in hot solution (194°F, 90°C). A golden lustre develops within one minute and becomes more intense. When lustre color is fully developed in 3 - 5 minutes, remove and wash in hot water, which is also a cooling process. Finally, wash article in cold water. Dry carefully first by blotting excess moisture with absorbant tissue paper and then air dry. Wax finish when dry. 32. Red (For Cast Bronze and Brass) IngredientsCupric NItrate... 8oz Oxalic Acid... 8oz Distilled Water... 1 gal Process Heat metal and apply hot liquidAdditional FormulasRustic Blue CopperINGREDIENTSAmmonia - Store bought Kosher Salt Distilled Water... 1 gal 1) Start with a large plastic container with a lid and a small plastic container that fits inside the large container. 2) You will also need a rack to place over the small container -hardware cloth (stiff metal screen) can be cut to fit in the big container. Rabbit screen may work as well 3) Fill the small container half way with ammonia. Place the small container inside the large container and place the rack over the small container. 4) Next you will need salt water, metal and sand paper. Sand the metal. Rinse the metal with warm salt water. NOTE - if you make your own salt water please use only kosher salt, as the iodine in iodized salt will not work. 5) Place the metal on the rack. Sprinkle metal with salt. 6) Cover the container with a lid. 7) Wait a few hours and uncover This finish is somewhat inconsistent and may be splotchy. Gives a nice country feel.Dark BrownINGREDIENTSAmmonia - Store bought (optional) Acid Steel Wool Distilled Water... 1 gal Liver of Sulfur (sulfurated potash)1) Clean copper with an acid and steel wool to bring it back to a nice bright "pink"2) Dissolve 1 pea sized nugget of liver of sulfur in 1 cup of water. A very hot solution will oxidize your copper dark brown. The temperature of the L.O.S. solution is very important in determining the finished results you'll get with the patina. 3) By adding 1 teaspoon of ammonia to the solution, you'll get a very black patina. Too much ammonia, and you'll get a slightly reddish patina.Please feel free to add your own formulas to this thread, but PLEASE post full instructions on how to use each suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WmHorus Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Great Post, lots of stuff there I didnt know Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trying-it Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Thanks Blake :rolleyes: B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kasper Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 thanks,but were do you get all these chemicals,........cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unforgivun Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 Many of them are available at hardware stores, jewelry supply stores (and websites), and pharmacies. There are a few chemical supply stores online that carry all of them. Just have to search around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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