Clean, Patina and Polish
Your Stained Glass Projects

According to the posts I read on the stained glass forums, copper patina appears to be the source of many problems. I actually think it's the number one topic repeatedly discussed. They write about it spotting, it turns green, it forms white stuff around the edges of the solder lines, it won't "take", it's splotchy, it's dull, and on and on they go.

Over the years I've had the same problems. I was sure there was something I was or wasn't doing, but I couldn't figure out exactly what it was. I started to research the various techniques that had been suggested. After experimenting with a combination of them, I came up with a technique that always works for me, over and over again. I want to share my discoveries with you.

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Step 1. Pour some Parsons Ammonia All Purpose Cleaner on your project and start scrubbing it with the white scrub pad. Make sure you scrub it until suds appear. Go over every solder line. Rinse well, then turn it over and do the other side. Make sure it is thoroughly rinsed on both sides.

Step 2. Dry the piece thoroughly with paper towels. Paper towels seem to absorb better than a cloth towel.

This will be the last time you will use water on this piece. Let me repeat. This will be the last time you will use water on this piece!

Why? Well, most water from your tap contains trace elements that react with copper patina. This alters the final color, usually resulting in any of the numerous problems mentioned above.

Everybody's water is different, which explains why some people have better results than others. Also, the amount and type of trace elements in the water changes from time to time, often giving you different results from one project to the next. If you don't use water after the initial washing, the problems should be diminished.

Step 3. Apply Mothers Wax to the entire piece, glass and solder lines. Then start buffing it off. Continue buffing/polishing the piece with a cloth or paper towel until no more black comes off.

No, I didn't make a mistake. You do wax and polish before you apply copper patina. See the black on the paper towel? That's oxidation. If you put patina over the oxidation, I can guarantee you will have some of those nasty problems mentioned on the forums. And before you ask, the answer is YES, copper patina will take (beautifully I might add), right over the polished solder lines. The procedure is different for black. It will be discussd at the end of this tutorial

At this point, if you want to leave the piece silver, you are done. It will be a beautiful shiny silver. If you want, you can apply the wax a second time, although I don't.

Before I go on, I need to explain how copper patina works. There is a molecular reaction between the tin in the solder and the copper sulphate in the patina. It is an instant reaction, but it must take place on absolutely clean solder. That is why we wax first... to remove any remaining oxidation. The wax does not affect the chemical reaction. Actually, it seems to enhance it.

There are several brands available. Novcan is the easiest to find. Jax and Classique are other good brands but more difficult to find.

You should be able to purchase patina at any store that sells stained glass supplies. Another source is the internet. Be sure to buy one made for solder. There are others made for lead and zinc...which you do not want for a copper foiled project.

Step 4. Apply the copper patina by pouring a small amount on your project. Scrub it on using a piece of the white scrub pad. Make sure you use enough so that all of the solder lines are well covered. Wipe up the excess with a paper towel. Turn the panel and repeat this step on the back side. Once you have wiped up the excess, let the piece air dry. Prop it up so that air can get to both sides.

Step 5. Repeat step 3, applying Mothers Wax. This time, let it dry before you polish. Use a tooth brush to clean the wax out of corners and around the solder lines. The copper will be even, with no spots and it will shine like a new penny.

Here is the finished panel.

If your panel needs an occasional clean-up, my recommendation is to wax it again. The wax will clean the glass and brighten up the copper.

To use black patina, clean it as described in step 1 above. Do not wax it at this point (see note below). After the piece is thoroughly dry, apply with the white scrub pad. Some people add 1 tbsp white vinegar, others add 1 tsp salt to 1 to 4 ounces of black patina to make it come out darker and shinier. Pour some patina into another container before adding the vinegar or salt, and dispose of any that is left when you are finished.

Note: Since writing this, I have found that waxing the piece first does not cause a problem with black patina. It actually enhances the black.

After you have applied the black patina, rinse in warm water (yes, you can use water on black patina) and pat dry with a paper towel. Let it set for 24 hours (this is a very important step), then you can wax and polish with Mothers Wax.

If you are having problems with patina and have a question you want answered, click here to ask your question. You will receive an answer within one week.

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