Patinas on Copper

Patinas are films on the surface of copper or other similar metals that are produced by it's oxidization. They are really fun to do and can involve average household products. They will intrigue any chemistry buffs out there, but it's an interesting skill for anyone to know nonetheless. These are just three basic patinas to try at home or in the metals studio. Go ahead and give it a try!

What to Get:
Copper
Plastic tupperware container
Small bowl
Plastic mesh
Salt
Ammonia
Acetylene torch
Metal grate
Metal tongs
Steel wool
Liver of sulfur (chunks or gel available online)
Baking soda
Rubber gloves

How-To (Ammonia & Salt Patina):
1. Take a small bowl and fill it about a half inch full of ammonia.
2. Put that bowl into a resealable tupperware container
3. Place a small piece of plastic mesh over the bowl so that the piece of copper can be suspended over the ammonia
4. Either spray with a 50/50 saltwater solution or sprinkle salt over the metal
**the more salt used, the more vibrant the blue will be as an end result**
5. Seal the container and allow the patina to develop over night
6. Last Step! Remove the metal from the container. As you let it air dry, the blue becomes more vibrant and you have yourself a beautiful piece of patina copper

Speckled blue caused by wherever the salt touches
http://www.simplybeadskitclub.com/newsletters.html?mode=issue&issue_id=607&department_id=49

How-To (Heat):
1. Set the piece of copper on a bed of rocks and a metal grate
2. Use your acetylene torch to heat little sections of the copper until it has a rainbow color to it like oil when it's in the light
3. When you get the color that you want, quench the piece of metal in water
**use metal tongs to move the piece of metal to and from the water, and wear safety glasses**
4. Last step! Repeat the heating and quenching process until you have covered the whole surface of your metal

Rainbow effect given to the copper due to the heat process
http://www.magpiegemstones.com/copper_patina.html?url=copper_patina.html

How-To (Liver of Sulfur):
1. Clean the piece of copper using a household cleaner and steel wool
2. Dissolve/dilute the liver of sulfur in warm water
**make sure you wear rubber gloves for this patina**
3. Prepare a baking soda and water solution before hand to neutralize the liver of sulfur
4. Dip the copper into the liver of sulfur for a few seconds at a time, Repeat until you have your desired color
5. Last step! Let your piece of copper soak in the baking soda water for a few minutes and then wash in warm soapy water. You will be left with a piece of copper with a grey or even black finish!
**you can lighten up the color of your copper again later if you choose with steel wool**

Grey hue due to the chemicals in the liver of sulfer
http://tensecondsstudio.typepad.com/tenseconds_studio/2010/05/copper-liver-of-sulfur.html