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Copper and Brass Finish Treatments

CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED WHEN HANDLING AND APPLYING PATINA SOLUTION - WEAR GLOVES AND SAFETY GLASSES. FOLLOW SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY ON THE CONTAINERS.

Spread newspaper under plant material to protect it. It is best to install pathlight fixtures first then apply solution. Fixtures should be clean of oil and dirt with Windex-type cleaner.

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Green Patina Formula
Darkening Copper & Brass
Polishing Copper & Brass
 

Green Patina Formula:

2 parts

white vinegar

1 1/2 parts

non-detergent ammonia

1/2 part

non-iodized salt

Application:
  • Clean fixture with Windex-type cleaner.

  • Premix patina solution in Windex-type spray bottle
  • Spray Windex cleaner on fixture to break surface tension, leaving it on when you apply patina solution.
  • Apply patina solution by spraying onto fixture, preferably in the early evening on a high humidity night.
  • Allow to set for 1 hour, then reapply solution observing where you missed applying on the first coat. If there seems to be oil that is repelling the patina solution, clean it off with the Windex cleaner.
  • Allow to sit overnight. In low humidity desert areas, use a plastic bag to create a tent over fixture (without making contact with it) to help keep the humidity high during curing. If there is low moisture in the air, the solution will dry out without creating the patina effect.
  • The result will be a bright green powdery patina. Do not rub off. In time (and re-applications) this finish will become permanent. The brightness will fade with time. To reduce green, cut back on the salt content. Color and effect is greatly affected by application ambient temperature and humidity.
 
Darkening Copper & Brass (penny brown):
Brown Patina Formula
Hot Water
Baking Soda
Place the hot water in a bottle. Add enough baking soda until it will not dissolve anymore when shaking the bottle.

Application:
Same as Green Patina. This finish is not as powdery and will not need as many re-applications

Polishing Copper & Brass
There are many commercially available compounds that will brighten copper and brass. These include Brasso which applies like car wax. To make the shine permanent, you must seal the metal with a clear coat of weatherproof finish like marine grade polyurethane. If you live in a strong sun area, any clear finish you put on will get baked off in time.


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