Antiquing/Oxidizing

Antiquing/Oxidizing/Patining of metals traditionally occurred in nature utilizing oxygen in the air, moisture from rain and/or dew, and temperature. If you leave steel outside, it will oxidize to rust. If you leave copper or a copper alloy outside, it goes through the various patina colors - structural bronze, flemish brown, light brown, chocolate brown/black to verdi green color in 5-8 years.

To achieve an instantaneous antiqued finish, there are products on the market help you achieve a finish in a few minutes. There are polysulfide chemistries which have problems of bath life and inconsistent colors.  

Hot alkaline caustic oxidizing baths produce a hard finish, but lack a variety of color (Ultra Blak 420). Copper-Selenium products have been used for over 40 years because of the consistent color and ease of use (B/Ox 311-315). Today, research has started on non-selenium antiquing processes  as well, with some initial success (B/Ox 322). An instant verdi-green color can be achieved with B/Ox 316 GEL.

The Steps To Antiquing:

1.  Select the alloy of metal

2.  Finish the metal - polish, scotch brite, vibratory finish

3.  Cleaning/Deoxidizing Metal

     a.) Type of Alkaline Cleaner

     b.) Type of Acid/Deoxidizer

4.  Antiquing/Oxidizing Agent

5.  Drying & Highlighting the oxidized part

     a.) Hot Water 100º C

     b.) Relieving

         I.)  Scotch Brite Pad

        II.) Wire Brush Wheel

       III.) Polishing Wheel

       IV.) Corn Cob

        V.) Pencil Erasers

6.  Lacquer - Most important step - lacquers have different color resins and different glosses