Copper Patina With an Antique Look

by Colleen
(Anchorage, Alaska)

I am making a piece that is 8" by 73". I want to use copper patina. The look that I want is the antique finish not the bright shiny patina. Should I use copper or silver U around the edges? I brought Novacan Super Brite Copper Patina for Solder. Is this the right product? Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Colleen,

My preferance would be to use copper U, as you will not be able to use copper patina on the silver U. I'm not too sure how the silver would look with copper solder seams.

Make sure you use some copper re-strip in your constructipn, to give the panel more stability. Run it from one edge to the other anywhere you have a hinge joint. It fits between the glass pieces as you are constructing the panel. Copper re-strip is much easier to handle than strong line.

Any patina you use will take on an antique or old look over time. It will not stay bright and shiny unless you keep polishing it, so your Novcan Super Bright will be okay. If you want something less "bright", Classique makes an Antique Brass patina. It is my patina of choice. It comes out a lovely soft coppery color. If you use the antique brass patina, you could use brass U around the panel.