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How to Age Copper
It can take five or more years for atmospheric conditions to produce a copper patina, but you can produce an attractive artificial patina in a much shorter time.
Instructions
- : Wear rubber gloves, protective clothing, and eye protection when working with commercial cleaning compounds.
- Step 1: Clean the surface Remove any dirt, oil, or grease from the surface of the copper object. They will interfere with the chemical action of the aging solution.
- TIP: Use a commercial chemical metal cleaner such as trisodium phosphate to clean the surface.
- Step 2: Prepare an ammonium chloride solution Add ammonium chloride crystals to water until no more will dissolve, and brush the solution on the thoroughly cleaned copper surface.
- TIP: Ammonium chloride crystals are sold commercially as sal ammoniac.
- Step 3: Prepare a patina solution Make a patina solution using one cup each of lemon juice, table salt, household ammonia, and vinegar
- Step 4: Apply the patina solution to the copper surface Apply the solution to the clean metal surface and allow it to react.
- FACT: Did you know? Copper is second only to silver in its ability to conduct electricity, and is an excellent conductor of heat.
You Will Need
- Protective gear
- A copper object
- A commercial metal cleaner
- Ammonium chloride crystals
- Water
- A paintbrush
- 1 c. lemon juice
- 1 c. table salt
- 1 c. household ammonia
- 1 c. vinegar
- Trisodium phosphate (TSP) cleaner (optional)
