Patina Questions or Problems?
Get Help Here

Do you have patina questions? Are you having problems when you use patina? This is the place where you can ask a question about any aspect of using patina, on copper foil, lead came or zinc, and I will give you an answer or help you solve the problem. It's free and it's easy to do.

Rather than answering individual questions via email, this will give everyone a chance to ask their questions about patina problems, and read about problems that others are having and find out how to solve them. It will become a FAQ about working with patina.

The advice I give is only my way of doing it. Please help me by contributing to the answers. This is a two way web page...you and me. You can ask a question, answer a question or do both. You can become my co-expert with these questions by writing how you've dealt with the problem in the comments section below.

Of course you can still contact me if you have a question that you feel would not benefit others or needs a personal response.

If you have questions or problems that are not about Patina, please do not ask them on this page.

You can go here for Lead Came Questions

Here for Copper Foil Questions

And here for All Other Questions related to Stained Glass Work.

Important: I want to be able to help you, so please provide as much information as possible. If a picture would help me solve the problem, please upload a picture (there are instructions for uploading pictures).

Are you having problems when you use patina? This is the place where you can ask a question about any aspect of patina, whether it's on copper foil, lead came or zinc, and I will give you an answer or try to help you solve the problem. It's free and it's easy to do. Just fill in the form below, then click on "Submit Your Question".

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

A Question About Sealing Patina  This patina question doesn't apply to stained glass -- not sure if that's an issue with this website. However, I've used Novacan Black to age bronze bathroom ...

Haze running along the soldered and patina colored edges of glass  Hi, this is so frustrating. I put ALOT of effort into the production of a piece and at the end something goes wrong and my entire effort is for naught....

Black Patina  I was taught that you had to neutralize black patina. Is that true? Would I just rinse with the sudsy ammonia after applying the black patina?

Answer ...

Cleaning antique zinc came  I recently acquired an antique mahogany stained glass door with zinc came from a monastery. I believe the age is around 1910. It was at one time used as ...

Is it possible to make black patina at home?  I am for the time being living in China and can not find black patina unless in huge quantities. Is it possible to use some substitude or make it yourself....

I Used the Wrong Type of Patina  I'm a newbee (2nd project)and bought black patina for zinc then used it on solder. It looks grey and not really bad on the project. My question is what ...

Trying to get Black Patina to take on Copper pipes  Sue,

I have created a leaded panel, with a frame around it made from copper plumbing pipes. This has worked well but failed on the last step because ...

Copper Patina Stained Bevels While Drying in the Sun  Left copper sulfate patina on project out in sun and when attempted to clean panel it now has multiple white cloudy stains on glass I am unable to remove....

patina on lead came with zinc frame  The black patina takes on the lead, not the zinc.

Answer

I need more information before I can answer your question. Are you using lead came or ...

More Questions About Gold or Brass Patina and Gold Plating  I am going to create a persomal design for my front door. The approx size will be 22" x 48". My door hardware is polished brass and I would like to patina ...

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:...

Black Patina Mixture  You had mentioned mixing vinegar and salt to black patina; 1 TBSP white vinegar and 1 tsp salt....to how much patina?

Answer

Use only vinegar or ...

Where To Buy Patina in China  Dear Teacher:

I am from China, a lover for stained glass. I really want to make stained glass in China, but I find I really can't buy patina in China,...

Problems with Patina  I often use a zinc border on my copper foiled panels. I use patina specifically for solder on all of my solder lines and joints and then use patina made ...

Antique Brass Patina  I cannot locate this patina...is this a copper patina that is applied differently? I am using on solder.

Secondly, what procedure do you use on lead?...

Patina for Zinc Came  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 ...

Patina Problems  I don't understand how you can leave the patina on for so long{black or copper} because it stains the glass. Also I use Dawn,yes what you wash dishes with ...

Copper Patina  Prior to reading your article I applied copper to a piece I was repairing. Needless to say, the new solder looks black and the old is a copper color. Is ...

Zinc and Patinia  The patinia will not stick to the zinc what can I do.

Answer

Make sure the zinc is absolutely clean before you use patina on it. Most zinc comes ...

Patina for Zinc Came Questions  do you have the contact information for the State of the Art, Inc for their black patina for zinc?
any other tips for making the color more even?

Answer ...

White Residue on Patina  I made a set of suncatchers for my daughter's school as a fundraiser. I hurriedly finished them (patina included)and left on vacation. Ten days later ...

What is Copper Patina  Hi there,
I've been soldering for years and am self taught and have never known what makes up copper patina.

Answer

Hi Deborah,

Copper Patina ...

Time Limit Between Soldering and Copper Patina  Can you wait 24 to 48 hours after you solder and before you put on the super brite copper patina? I have heard that you must patina within an hour of soldering ...

Black Patina Recipe  Hi,

I live in Hawaii and we are having problems getting patina shipped here. The chemicals in the product make the shipping costs much more than the ...

scrub pads  I still have not found a source for the scrub pad you mentioned in cleaning stained glass. Please provide further information, if possible. Thank you
...

Old Patina  Can a opened bottle of black patina loose it's effectiveness after a while? My pieces don't look real black, more like a gun barrel sorta, dark silverish ...

Patina and Seel  I an working a oxygen tank bell and would like make it look a lot better what works best for geen, blue or rust

Answer

I'm sorry, but I don't ...

Cloudy finish on black patina  I've given about 3 coats of black patina on lead solder. It becomes cloudy. What should I do to keep it black?

Answer

Do you wax before as well ...

Waxing Patina  If I wax before I use the black patina do I need to rewax after applying or is waxing before all I need to do?

Answer

Wax before and after. The ...

Any way to get a "do-over"?  I finished a copper foil panel and used pewter patina on the solder lines and zinc frame. But I don't like how it looks -- it was much prettier with the ...

White Stains on Znc  what has caused the white stains on my zinc came frames? is it water? or flux? or soap?
how can i remove it?

Reply

I can't answer your question ...

Wax for Black Patina  After I wax and polish my black patina it realy has faded out to almost a bronze. The polish I use says it cleans and polishes. Is it the type of polish ...

Mixing Patina (?)  I recently came upon an artist who, using copper foil, achieved a very rugged, old looking, dull siver with a hint of black (imagine the color of a very ...

Can You Turn Zinc Black Using Copper Patina?   I am a hobbyist who has done stained glass for a couple years now for my own enjoyment. I have never been happy with the color of my zinc borders using ...

Oxidation on Patina  I made a panel for my bathroom window-copper foil-and put black patina on it. It has been up 2-3 months and the solder lines are turning white with oxidation....

Uneven Black Patina...Cure??  Thanks for your site,, I've referred here throughout my project (pic attached). The window is 76"x45". I soldered the front, flipped it, soldered the back,...

Patina Not Dark Enough on Lead  this is great,thankyou....i would like to know if there is any patina's out there that would react with lead that makes it very dark it seems the only ...

Black Patina  Why does my black patina turn white in some spots and haw do I stop that from happening.

Answer

I would guess the solder hasn't been cleaned well ...

Zinc & Patina  I'm having trouble with patina for zinc not taking evenly. I clean my work well with soap and water. Dry well,then steel wool until shinny while wearing ...

Black patina for copper foil   I made the mistake of waxing my stain glass project before I used black patina. I haven't put the black patina on yet and wondered what can I do to correct ...

Patina on Lead free Solder  I have read that lead free solder does not patina well. I am making a suncatcher for a baby's room using leadfree solder. I would like to patina it black....

Patina Tutorial  I took to heart your very informative tutorial on cleaning a finished stained glass project. However, I am having a problem finding the #98 white industrial ...

Copper Patina For Lead Came  Can you use a copper patina on lead came? If so, does the same product work for solder?
Thank you.
Ruthe

Answer

There is a copper patina for ...

Copper Patina   Hi Sue,
I did a window with foil and followed your directions on how to clean and apply the copper patina.
My mistake was that after I applied the copper ...

Appling Black Patina on Lead Came, Solder, and Zinc Border  In your tutorial on patina, you include Mother's California Gold Carnauba Wax CLEANER as one of 3 ingredients for applying patina. However, in the following ...

Black Patina  In the tutorial for black patina you mention the use of either salt or vinagar in the patina. Do you use either? If so which one. Thanks

Answer

When ...

patina zinc  I'm having a problem getting my patina to take on Zinc. I use zinc patina. My lead patina works great, so I feel it has something to do with a step I ...

Black Patina On Lead and Zinc  I have a lead came window with a zinc frame, the zinc gets blotchy looking when using black patina.

What kind of patina do you recommend for lead came ...

Removing Black Patina  I don't like the black patina. How do I remove it???

Please help

Answer

Scrub it off with very fine steel wool or bronze wool, then wash the ...

Brass or Gold Patina  I am going to create a persomal design for my front door. The approx size will be 22" x 48". My door hardware is polished brass and I would like to patina ...

Patina Advice  Your patina tutorial suggests adding 1 tbsp vinegar or 1 tsp salt to the black patina to make it darker and shinier. I don't see any advice as to how ...

Removing Patina From a Copper Foil Lampshade...  I have recently completed a copper foil lampshade this I have completely black patinaed. I have since decided to add some new pieces to the lampshade, but ...

Out door Patinas  I intend to hang a piece outside, I am wondering how black or copper patinas will stand up, and which is better. I plan of bringing the piece inside ...

Patina on Zinc  I have a lot of trouble with putting any patina on the zinc framing on my projects. I have used special patina for zinc but it does not work. Is there ...

Patina Repair  Can you remove black patina from a piece that is completed but unwaxed that has had some bad effects from water?

How do you do this?

Answer

To ...

Green Patina  Hi,

Is there anything I can use that will give me a green finish?

Answer

Jax Green Patina is the only product that I know of.

Here is ...

Antique Brass Patina  Where can I get the Antique Brass Patina that you mentioned in your tutorial on patina.
Thank You
Rita

Hi Rita,

You'll have to do a Google search ...

Antique Brass Patina - Does It Need Neutralizing?  Hi, I have a bottle of antique brass patina but I've never used it before nor has my stained glass instructor. Does it need to be neutralized? If so,...

Black Patina After Black Cement  After scrubing off the black cement the lead came is black. Do I steel wool black off before applying novacan black patina?

Answer
Novcan Black Patina ...

Black Patina Etc  Isn't there some sort of way of getting the solder black using the iron?

Answer
None that I ever heard of. Using the iron would continuously melt ...

Applying Black Patina to Lead Came  I'm fairly new at doing stained glass projects and have a problem getting the patina to cover evenly on lead came. I use the lead came for framing my ...

Black Patina Zinc  How can you black patina zinc came?

Answer
Hi Sherry,

This was discussed just a few days ago. This page about Patina Problems should answer ...

Black Patina Staining Clear Glass  Hi There.

I wonder could you help me with a problem. Having made, washed and dried two copper taped soldered stained glass windows, I applied black ...

Black Patina.  I didn't wash off the flux before I added black patina to my solder. I would like to get a nice shine on the patina but don't know how. Should I wash ...

Verdigris Color Copper Patina  Hi,

Thank you for the great information on this site! I'd love to know of a patina approach that will reliably produce the verdigris look that occurs ...

Patina Problems  After applying patina to a project, I have been finding patches of copper foil showing through. At first I thought I had not covered the entire piece ...

Advisibility Of Patina For Outdoor Foiled Piece   I recently met Pattie Boyd (George Harrison's first wife and inspiration for the songs "Leyla" and "Something) and offered to do one of my copper foil ...

Black Patina Turning Pewter Color  I am having trouble with my black patina not staying black....it seems to turn a pewter color and loses that wonderful black color. I live in the country ...

Copper Patina With an Antique Look  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 ...

Gray Looking Patina  Hi Sue,
I need your help again.
I have a panel that was done a few years ago.
The black solder lines are looking grayish now.
Should I take a wire ...

Patina Stain on Glass  Hi,

I have several panels with patina stains on the glass. I thought I'd have to live with it. Then I joined Warner glass chat and asked. Someone referred ...

Locating Copper Patina Finishing
Products In Australia  Good morning,

Firstly, I love your website. I have found it to be a very helpful site. More like having a teacher in the room with you, easy to follow ...

Best Results for Copper Patina  A suggestion to achieve great Copper Patina results.

Use TSP (tri sodium phosphate) as the only cleaning agent. It is available from paint stores and ...

White Spots on Black Patina (Copper Foil)  Sue, First of all I would like to thank you for creating this web site, and taking the time to help all of us out here in learning this wonderful stained ...

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