Posted by Jerry on October 18, 2002 at 15:22:02:
In Reply to: copper patina -friend or foe? posted by lynn w on October 18, 2002 at 11:23:53:
Hi Lynn,
I've only been doing stained glass for a little over a month but I, also, really LOVE the look of copper patina but have not had much success until I asked at my local stained glass shop.
I was told copper patina is funny, it's more work to get a nice finish with it but it is attainable. For best results you need to do this as soon as possible after finishing your project.
I was told to wash my project well, using a copper bright pad that you can attain at your local hardware store. It's sold as a scrubby for the kitchen, it's like a copper scouring pad for pots & pans. Wash the project with hot water and ammonia to be sure all residue of flux is neutralized.
To get a nice finish, use 100% COTTON balls...not the cosmetic balls-they are synthetic and won't work the same, wet the ball with the copper patina (I use Novacan), rub it over your soldering. Keep rubbing...it will start out dingy looking. Go over your entire piece. If you need to, go over it again with a fresh ball dipped in more patina. Buff it with a dry cotton ball. You need to go over it well as it will go from a dingy looking finish to a nice coppery finish.
Wash your project with a soft sponge and warm water and dry. Finish it up with a wax or Kem-O-Pro finishing compound.
I was about to give up on copper patina until I did it this way and now I'm getting a nice, bright, coppery finish and I'm happy :-) I was only getting ugly, rather rusted looking finishes until I tried it this way. It works!
Hope this helps.
Jerry