Posted by Angel on October 18, 2002 at 12:28:12:
In Reply to: copper patina -friend or foe? posted by lynn w on October 18, 2002 at 11:23:53:
Lynn, copper patina is a diffreent process from Black and Pewter. It's more of a PLATING than a chemical acid/metal reaction. Our friend, The Stainedglass Lady, has an excellent tuorial on her information site for doing both copper and black patina.
She recommends that after thoroughly cleaning the solder with ammonia and detergent, that you WAX BEFORE applying copper patina (not black). Some people use Simichrome to polish/clean first. SGL just uses "Mother's" Wax found in automotive supply stores. You're using the wax or simichrome as a cleaner at this point. NO WATER is ever used AFTER applying the copper patina...but it's waxed again after the patina is dry.
A lot of us have exellent results...copper penny bright seams....with this method. Your former instructor is like all people who haven't mastered something...they say it doesn't work. That's only his ignorance at work. Why don't you do a piece and show it to him? There's no greater satisfaction than sticking a pin in a hot air ego. While you're there, take a look around at SGL's other Tutorials. Great stuff.
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: I have been working in copper foil for the last year and love the look of a copper patina on the finished piece. My former instructor, a "it's my way or the highway" kind of man, states copper patina is garbage and never looks good.