A Black Patina Question

I thank you for your patina suggestions. I have had corrosion appear after patina in a month or 2 and my stuff is all indoors...

My question is this: I don't like the dark look the black patina has on projects so I have been using steel wool to "Pewter" them up; make them look a little more silver but not as bright and brassy as not using patina at all. Do they make a more pewter gray patina? By using the steel wool, it can make the solder look a little splotchy. Also, is there a clear wax I can use (you implied that the wax suggested turned the solder black even before you patina it).

Thanks,
Tina


Hi Tina,

First of all, I'm sure many people will want to know what patina you use that makes the solder look really black. Most of the black patina questions I get are from people that can't get the patina to turn the solder a deep black color. It usually turns the solder various shades of gray.

As far as I know the only pewter patina is made by Jax, and I'm not too sure if it is really a pewter color or if it is meant to be used on pewter. Here is their description of it: "Pewter Black produces a dark, black antique finish on pewter, lead, brass, bronze, copper, nickel, tin-lead alloys, and solders." From that description, it leaves me wondering just what does a dark black antique color look like.

If you can't find a solution to your problem, I'd suggest trying bronze wool rather than steel wool to go over the patina. I know it's available from Glass Crafters. If you Google "bronze wool for stained glass", you'll most likely find it available from several places that deal in stained glass supplies.

Also, have you tried applying the patina then wiping it off before it dries? That should give you a lighter color.

Lastly, try a different brand of black patina.

The wax doesn't turn the solder black. It makes the solder bright and shiny. What you misunderstood is that I said you will see black on the cloth you are polishing the solder with. The black on the cloth is oxidation you are cleaning off of the solder. The wax is absolutely clear.

If anyone else reading this has any suggestions for making the black patina less black, please tell us what you do. You can reply in the comments section just below here.