Re-building patina

Discussion in 'Metalware' started by bluemoon, Dec 30, 2017.

  1. bluemoon

    bluemoon Member

    A lot of empire / federal style bronze fixtures have a contrasting, completely black patina on some areas and gilding on others. That gives those items their beautiful black and gold look. I know the patina is sometimes actual patina, but have also seen objects where it's merely paint or black lacquer of some sort.

    How should one restore such patina, if the bronze has been polished too much? The examples I've seen on auction sites always have somewhat intact black patina and was wondering if there's some special technique to it. Using just any paint seems like it could affect the value.
     
  2. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    bury it in the ground for a year..
     
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  3. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    Bronze, brass, copper, bury it in sulfur or sulphur powder, the longer it is buried the darker it will become.
    Copper only takes an hour to go from shiny to black.
    Another method is to paint it in natural yogurt and leave it outside in the damp to mature.
     
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  4. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    There's an easier way. Stick it in a brown paper bag with a banana and leave it. Works a treat.
     
  5. bluemoon

    bluemoon Member

    What if a mole, or a raccoon digs the bronze up? Or a strong magpie flies away with it? :facepalm:
    Jokes aside, I just read that soil contains amounts of chlorides, which cause bronze disease when they come in contact with copper-based metals.
     
  6. bluemoon

    bluemoon Member

    Interesting, wonder why I haven't heard this before. In any case, does the metal surface have to be super clean for it to work? Is polishing required prior to the application?
     
  7. bluemoon

    bluemoon Member

    How long does it usually take to patina? I'm assuming the metal would have to be cleaned well or even polished in order for it to work?
     
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  8. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    Oh...& a racoon won't go after that old banana.....:playful:;)
     
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  9. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    I will show you pictures soon, I just buried a shiny 1967 British penny in some sulphur powder.
     
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  10. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    Peeled or UNpeeled?????:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
     
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  11. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    Random bronze penny before.

    001-horz.jpg
    Place in sulphur powder and cover

    004.JPG

    005.JPG

    Several hours later take it out and wash.

    006.JPG

    007-horz.jpg

    If I had left it in for a week it would have been black.
    If you mix sulphur powder with tooth paste you can apply it to metal and rub it in for a really quick result but a little messy.

    Chemically, sulphur reacts with all elements except for gold,platinum,iridium and tellurium.
     
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  12. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    No, don't clean it at all. It's the ethylene given off by the banana that does the trick. Supposely, hard boiled eggs work, but I've not tried that. It's also why you ought not to store bananas close to other fruit, they ripen them. Unless you want that of course. As to how long? A day or two. Either an unpeeled banana or the skins - and then put the skins round your roses!

    The sulphur thing works too and you can buy the powder in garden supply places.
     
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