AGING COPPER, BRONZE OR BRASS (To Look Really Old)
QUESTION:
I just purchased COPPER F/X for the first time. Could I get a good result if I do not clear coat the copper on mild steel? Would it age and develop a patina like copper? I was thinking about this for an outdoors sculpture and let it weather naturally. I have made many steel pieces and just let them weather and rust with good results. Thanks, John
ANSWER:
Hi John,
COPPER F/X® contains pure Cu, but the deposition film thickness is not enough to tarnish & age (verdigris) like thicker Cu, Bronze or Brass, all of which are mostly Cu. It will rust from below way before it will age into a verdigris look.
You can sprinkle Cu Powder on your top-coat, when the top-coat is tacky & let dry, then mist on a Patina called, COPPER VERDE™ to get the look you want. After about 3 applications, with no rinsing between applications, and about 24-30 hrs., it will develop a nice greenish-blue/turquoise patina, known as Copper Verdigris.
I even have an acrylic clear that has the Copper Powder already mixed in.
On the site, in the search bar, just type “Copper Verde”, and you’ll see all of the choices.
It is generally very important to protect the patinated steel from oxygen & moisture. If not, the surfaces will darken, change color/s & rust.
I use an Automotive Clear-Coat called PPG DELTRON DC3000. It’s on the site, if you choose to try it sometime. I also have a 2-Part Clear that rivals the beauty of DELTRON, and it comes in an Aerosol Spray Can. It’s called,‘SprayMax 2k’.
Both Clears utilize a catalyst in a 4:1 mix with the clear for an ultra-clear, deep, high-gloss finish w/ excellent UV inhibiting properties. It leaves your work with a “dipped in glass” appearance.
You can use any clear-coat that you’re comfortable with. Even Clear Powder-Coat.
Clear Powder-Coating over the Patinas and Dyes is fine, if done properly. Some of the lighter colored patinas, like COPPER F/X™ will sometimes change to a darker hue, usually a greenish-gold, but in general, no problem with powder-coating if the time & heat in the oven is kept to a minimum.
I don’t use powder-coat clear on any of my work for that very reason. (In My Opinion)…Automotive Clear-Coat is far superior, both in quality & appearance. It doesn’t cost any more in most cases & the end results are fabulous.
It is advisable to tack-rag the piece just prior to shooting on the clear-coat, whether it is powder-coat or automotive clear, to remove any flash-rust, even if it’s not visible to the naked eye.
And, it goes without saying that all welding needs to be done before the clear-coat.
My name is Bill Worden. I am the founder & owner of STEEL F/X Patinas, which began officially in the fall of 2006.
I had my first exposure to metal-finishing when I was 14 yrs. old. (1968)
My Chemistry teacher showed me how to silver-plate a copper penny without heat or electricity. The whole process, which I found incredibly cool, took only a minute or two. I was hooked on what could be done chemically, to transform the surface of varying metals.
I have been a metalsmith since 1972, working with precious metals originally, and currently focusing primarily on CNC cut steel art and chemically induced Color Case-Hardening of firearms & custom knives.
I have developed many steel patina formulas that react safely with the steel to bring out a myriad of colors & effects without hiding the polished steel beneath.
I have also developed a one-of-a-kind patina, (STAINLESS F/X™), which works equally well on Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel & Copper.
My greatest reward is teaching & helping other metal artisans to produce finished products that are beyond the norm of painting or powder-coating.
I truly love working in the lab, experimenting with what will work & developing new products.
Many of my customers, in a very short time, have become masters of steel patinas on their own work and are producing some heirloom quality works of art!
I live in St. George, Utah with my wife, Kris and my two sons, Tyler & Trevor..
I welcome your calls & emails & will do my very best to provide you with all the help & product innovation possible.
The STEEL F/X® PATINAS Company Motto is "KAI-ZEN", a Japanese word that loosely translates to: "CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT"
Thank you for helping to make STEEL F/X® PATINAS a Reality...Without all of my loyal customers, we wouldn't exist. Keep Up The Good Work!
Bill D. Worden,
STEEL F/X®, LLC
(STEEL F/X® PATINAS)
1.800.710.1273
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