Patina for Zinc Came

by Susan
(Williamsburg, KY, USA)

Do you have a reliable method of getting zinc came to turn black with patina? I have tried everything I can find on the internet about it, but mine usually turns out splotchy. I wonder if it needs more cleaning, but I clean until it feels like my arms might fall off. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Susan Rice

Answer

Hi Susan,

I have so little experience with zinc (I'm a lead came fan) that I can not answer your question from a professional viewpoint. However, I keep a notebook of useful information that I have read on various stained glass forums. I have several responses to the zinc patina problem. Perhaps one of these answers will help you:


*To blacken the zinc frame on a leaded glass piece: use a "Scotchbrite" pad and vinegar to scrub the zinc before applying the chemical blackener. That works very well!


*You can use black paint, rather than patina, to get a crisp, black color on zinc. A brand that works well is Tremclad, an oil base paint. It will paint over rust and doesn't need a primer. Model paints that are lacquer based are also good and they dry completely in 3 mins.


*My glass shop had a great tip for using zinc and it works so well.
1. Finish your panel and frame with zinc came.
2. Rub the came with 00 steel wool till shiny.
3. Apply patina for lead on corners or where ever you have soldered and rinse thoroughly
4. Apply compound cream or wax to your whole project including all the zinc came. Follow normal waxing procedures and buff off.
5. Place your framed glass up on a box or something to lift it off the table and apply zinc patina generously all along the frame and rub it with a soft cloth till shiny.


*Cleaning the zinc with steel wool may eliminate the streaky patina; however, I don't think there are many who have had any success with Patina For Zinc. In theory that Product should make the zinc black, so here are two different ways to get a black finish on zinc.
(1) Lay a thin coating of solder over the zinc and then it will take the same black patina as your solder lines.
(2) Use JAX Copper Plate on the zinc. It will produce a black patina on zinc.
If you want a pewter finish on the solder and zinc, JAX Pewter Black works well at producing an even finish on both zinc and solder.
In any case I find that cleaning the zinc is essential to a good patina application.


I hope one of those answers will solve your problem,
Sue