Patina Application

(Amboy Center, NY)

Here is how I apply patina. I have had very good luck with these methods (one for black and one for copper or bronze).

Black Patina:
After soldering, I place the piece in warm water. I then apply a small amount of CJ's flux remover directly on the piece. I use a small soft nail brush to scrub both the top and back of the piece with the remover. After drying with a towel, I then blow dry it, with a hand held hair dryer, back and front, until the piece feels warm and is completely dry.

I immediately apply the patina with a tootbrush, by dipping the brush into a small "tuna" can of Novacan patina. (you should only pour in the amount that you think you will need into the can). I scrub it into the solder lines on the front first, then the edges and lastly the back. Once that is done, I take the can, toothbrush and the piece, and rinse them throughly.

I then dry the piece with a towel and blow dry it again, until the piece is warm and immediately apply the Kem O Pro SG Finishing Compound to the piece and on all the edges. Because the glass is warm, the wax adheres better and then I buff it with a soft cloth.

Using this method, I have never had a problem with corrosion, even after lengthy periods of time. The warm glass really seems to make a difference. The patina always is a deep shade of black and uniform every time.

Copper or Bronze Patina:
I do everything the same as for black patin with one exception. Once I have cleaned the piece with flux remover and blow dried it, I take the finest steel wool available and throughly rubdown all the solder lines and edges. It is important that every bit of solder be steel wooled. Blow dry off the excess steel wool and immediately apply the copper or brass patina with a toothbrush, as you did with the black patina.

The more you brush the copper patina, the "pinker" it will become. Do not overbrush on the brass patina, or it will start to go copper colored. Rinse and blow dry and apply finishing compound.

I learned this on my own, by experimenting. Hope this will help someone.