A protective green pigment is formed on metals like bronze, brass or copper over time. This verdigris patina that forms after years of weathering is very different from the original gleaming copper color. Such a patina can be created today by using products that speed up the natural process. A wide range of such products are available from many local and online stores.
Burying is one of the oldest methods of creating patinas and some people still use variations of this method today. A technique used in the Middle Ages to speed up the oxidization process was to bury copper strips fastened to a wooden block in some dung for a few weeks. Objects buried in containers filled with an absorbent material like sawdust or kitty litter dampened with chemicals, can result in rich colors and textures.
There were many other methods used in the past to hasten the oxidation process. Some involved placing copper plates in clay pots filled with distilled wine. Another method was to heat vinegar and hang the copper plates over the pot. The green crust formed was used by artists as pigment. All these processes still involved having to wait some time for a result.
It is much easier to create such a finish today. There are many products on the market devoted to this purpose. These products enable a chemical reaction to take place, accelerating oxidation and creating special results. One can never predict exactly what the finished article will look like as various factors affect the outcome and this adds to the appeal.
Application must be done with care as is always the case when working with chemicals. Experimentation is usually part of the process and it is often exciting to see what results can be produced. As the process has so many variables, the end product is quite unique and this is why it is so appealing.
Some products are applied to the metal at room temperature. These products are usually opaque and are either sprayed on or painted on with a brush. It is best to pour a small amount into a disposable container for application, pouring in more as required. Applying too much can spoil the effect, creating chalky areas that flake off.
Other products need heat for application and great care has to be taken as the chemicals used may be flammable. The benefit of applying heat is that the chemicals penetrate deeper. It is necessary to use gloves and other protective items. Toxic fumes can be given off so application should take place in a well ventilated area.
This type of finish has become increasingly popular with homeowners as well as landscapers and designers. Statues, pots, doors, screens and many more items can be transformed, infusing interesting color and a touch of aged beauty into designs. They add the allure of something old and worn that has a history or tells a story.
Burying is one of the oldest methods of creating patinas and some people still use variations of this method today. A technique used in the Middle Ages to speed up the oxidization process was to bury copper strips fastened to a wooden block in some dung for a few weeks. Objects buried in containers filled with an absorbent material like sawdust or kitty litter dampened with chemicals, can result in rich colors and textures.
There were many other methods used in the past to hasten the oxidation process. Some involved placing copper plates in clay pots filled with distilled wine. Another method was to heat vinegar and hang the copper plates over the pot. The green crust formed was used by artists as pigment. All these processes still involved having to wait some time for a result.
It is much easier to create such a finish today. There are many products on the market devoted to this purpose. These products enable a chemical reaction to take place, accelerating oxidation and creating special results. One can never predict exactly what the finished article will look like as various factors affect the outcome and this adds to the appeal.
Application must be done with care as is always the case when working with chemicals. Experimentation is usually part of the process and it is often exciting to see what results can be produced. As the process has so many variables, the end product is quite unique and this is why it is so appealing.
Some products are applied to the metal at room temperature. These products are usually opaque and are either sprayed on or painted on with a brush. It is best to pour a small amount into a disposable container for application, pouring in more as required. Applying too much can spoil the effect, creating chalky areas that flake off.
Other products need heat for application and great care has to be taken as the chemicals used may be flammable. The benefit of applying heat is that the chemicals penetrate deeper. It is necessary to use gloves and other protective items. Toxic fumes can be given off so application should take place in a well ventilated area.
This type of finish has become increasingly popular with homeowners as well as landscapers and designers. Statues, pots, doors, screens and many more items can be transformed, infusing interesting color and a touch of aged beauty into designs. They add the allure of something old and worn that has a history or tells a story.
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Shoppers looking for verdigris patina should turn to the internet right now. Log on to http://www.dimestoreemporium.com and see the full list of our products on display today!
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