How to Patina Copper
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- To see the birdhouses I built check out this video: • Mother's Day Present -...
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Things I used in this project:
Copper Sheets: I purchased my sheets in Dallas at a place called McMurry Metals
Ammonia: goo.gl/O2FPLd
Construction Adhesive: goo.gl/D5NaRd
Salt: goo.gl/cu0p9q
Plastic Container: goo.gl/LhqEwr (I purchased a single instead of a pack)
Spar Urethane: goo.gl/F91b9Q
Drill: goo.gl/MGQfTR
Chem Gloves: goo.gl/mcUS2j
Sandpaper: goo.gl/jgIcti
This short video covers the basics of DIY Copper Patina. I happen to be using these sheets of patina'ed copper for bird houses but the possibilities of this process are pretty endless. I have always wondered how to patina copper and after learning the process I am happy to share it with the masses.
Another way that I have seen work within a few minutes is to lightly scrub them down with Comet, rinse, lightly coat them with salt, then pour peroxide on them. It works within minutes. Great job!
Oh that's neat, I didn't read that technique. What I find so interesting about patina is all the different ways and methods produce different colors.
@@AprilWilkersonMy neighbor and I have been using salt and different vinegars to patina sheets of copper flashing and they are absolutely mesmerizing to look at.
This works great - thank you!
One tip - varnish has an amber cast to it - that’s why your project turned green. Next time, try spray lacquer or spray clear enamel.
Thanks again!
I've done some patinas in the past, but never with ammonia. I love the look, thanks for sharing this tip!
just venturing into copper/leather jewelry, your's was the BEST instructions I have seen yet! thanks.
Nice work! Your helping me with a upcoming ornamental gate project!
Awesome! I bet it'll look great.
I am new to patina but have been rusting things for years for our haunted house. I am ready to play with some patina now! I am going back to watch your birdhouse video.
When I darken or patina my copper I use Atlas rubber/clothe gloves, that way it keeps the oil from your hands off the copper and the chemicals away from your hands. They also keep the copper from tarnishing from the oils from your hands. With the humidity in Texas, it could tarnish copper over night.
I enjoy watching you expand your talent to new things. Keep up the great work!
Greg Nielsen
Copper Tech Construction, Inc.
Great video April, I didn't know it was that easy to create a patina on copper.
I was shocked at how easy it was. : ) There are so many cool things I want to do with this now.
+April Wilkerson Yes, It's now on my list of things to try. Thanks for the inspiration!
Wow April, they look amazing! 10 years of weathering in 1 day. Way cool!
Thanks Wayne. : ) I want to do this to so many things now, I think it's really cool as well.
the patina is super outstanding! well done april!
Very lovely effect, thank you, April! Looks gorgeous.
Spar Varnish is more UV resistant than Spar Urethane.
Wax coating on the roof after the seal coat dries, makes water roll off, and bird droppings not stick.
For those who need a simpler technique, there are copper reactive paints made by Craig and Rose in UK, and Modern Masters series in the US. Modern Masters is the special effect paint used by film studios in Los Angeles. They carry every silver, gold, pewter, copper, and pearly shade. These are acrylic paints like Latex house paints, a plastic emulsion, suitable for wood, plaster, drywall, metal, etc. If you have a plaster relief piece, and use their aging bronze or copper patina paint, it looks very realistic, like an old bronze piece.
Really love that patina! Especially the bluer color ahead of time. Super gorgeous! Going to have to play with the copper sheet I've got in the shop. Go you!
this also works nicely on brass. I did this to a zippo lighter i have and i love it
i really love the aesthetic of the patina, i just never knew it was this easy!
i work a lot with acid. so i can give you an important tip. use every time mask and safety glasses. your lungs and eyes will thank you. Sorry for my english, is not my mother language.
Woah, I was literally googling how to patina when I got the notification saying you uploaded this video. Thanks for the video!
; ) Good timing!
Just a cliff note on holding patina you can do it with a multitude of products bird feeder I would use bees wax . Vehicle or home boiled linseed oil in spay bottle (RAGS CAN COMBUST WITH NO IGNITION) linseed oil must be applied every year like Thompson water seal but for metal. You don't need a chamber you can apply amonia or vinegar vinager takes 48 hours outside in sun spray every two hours.
hello > A friend of mine mixed salt with amonia and then spayed > ended up with a very uniform green > pretty cool . Your technique is very nice too!!! Lovely
Very neat! You can buy copper at any roofing suppliers.
I called about 9 different local stores and everybody said there was only one supplier of sheet metal in the metroplex and that was in Dallas. : ) So I made the hike to go grab some.
Great info! Tried it and was amazed how good it came out! Thanks!
I heard you talking about this on the podcast. Do some research and you'll be surprised at some of the compounds people use to get patina. Great work!
I'm making an apocalyptic character for my games course this video has been really helpfu. I can now make my characters armour look more old and scrap looking.
Looks like fun. Brass screws or maybe copper nails might not stand out as much but they still look good. You can get copper sheets on Amazon.
I think I'll try copper nails! I didn't know they existed or I would have picked them up at the same time I bought the sheets. : )
This video will help me in making my copper pipe lamp for the lady. Thank you!
Glad I could help! Thanks for watching.
@@AprilWilkerson which works better, iodized salt or reg sea salt?
So glad you made this video I been wondering how to do this for years
+joels outdoor vlog He He, when you started wondering, you should have placed some copper sheets outside, and the regular peed on them. Does the job too. :-)
It's pretty simple!
thats great thanks , ive been preparing to experiment with different substances to get the verdgris but your method works fine
Hi April,
Nice colors for the patina. I'm beginning to believe there's nothing you can't do. :-)
; ) Not when I want to.
incredible 3 minute video thank you
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
Turned out pretty cool April. 👍👍
You get good protection from the patina, the green/blue nature of many copper salts is a function of water hydration. There is another reason for using either brass or copper screws or nails (the copper nails should be in the plumbing section). Easy route is to say look up "galvanic corrosion", but the skinny is, dissimilar metals will rot each other.
: ) Thanks for explaining. I'm on the hunt for copper nails!
April, very nice. If you would brass screws for the roof, you could patina them too.
I'm really hate this colour every day facing patina in the refinery and try to protect the copper from rusted and so easy you love it :D
Those are some fancy birds you have
Nice! Will adding a lot of salt give a more textured effect? Like a lot of granular texture???
Ammonia fumes are also a good way to darken brass!
Awesome, good to know!
Fantastic video
Mashallah the blue copper is beautiful
Thanks they look fantastic
Love that color, it's like a turquoise.
Pro tip...Absolutely no need to put a top coat on. the patina will not come off. I patinated half the front of a home with copper sheet. About 200 sq ft. After creating the green patina it never received anything else. It's not changed in 20 years.
Interesting! Thanks for the info. I bet it looks amazing.
Pissing on copper works too. May sound gross but it's free and less toxic then the straight ammonia.
Nice video! I don't think the video said what you did with the spray bottle of ammonia, except for spraying the 4th piece that didn't turn out like the others. Looks like you washed the sheets, sprinkled salt, and then what? Assuming maybe you sprayed the sheets with the ammonia after salting? And also added ammonia to the bottom of the tub?
Very nice patina.
You can also put the copper into a container with some vinegar, maybe even put some of it on the surface. Result should look the same.
Gercekten eline emeğine sağlık cok güzel olmuş tam olarak nasil ve neler kullanmam gerektigini yazarsaniz sevinirim
I'd say it's se vinegar instead of ammonia because vinegar is not toxic but does take longer for the same effect.
Hi! How much longer? What kind of vinegar? Thank you!
Do you know how to get a more goldish result from the copper?
That. Is. GORGEOUS. I need to try this!
Yes! There are so many things you can do with it. : )
Maybe you will have an answer for me. How to you get a lacker (sp) thats on top of copper. I have an old ice bucket and dont know how to remove it. Then i can do what your showing. ???? Thanks !
Patinate is the word to use.
Patina is a noun.
Nice, will use on my letter box.
The patina can be scraped to make green powder for green paint!
Beautiful effect. Thanks for sharing.
that looks really great!
I wonder what would happen if you rough the initial surface up more, and then sand back the patina lightly and repeat the process.
I should really try this
I think this patina thing is a rabbit hole! You can easily spend weeks playing around with different combination of things. : ) It's quite fun so I agree you should try it.
April Wilkerson
yeah, I bet there are pretty much an infinite number of possibilities
You can do anything April
Love that thank you for teaching me a skill.
To continue The rustic look use bronze finished screws instead of nickel plated
Very nice April, love those colors. Fake copper, that sounds about right for a box store.
Right? I was so mad, I wasted three days scratching my head trying to figure out what I was doing wrong! Then I learned it wasn't real copper....psh. Haha.
Have you ever just tried spraying the ammonia direct on sheet without the fume chamber step? Also which seal would NOT change the color of the blue patina? ty
I don't know if this seal is available in your country, but i have one called zapon spray from the brand dupli color. this one should not interfere with the color of the patina.
So was the sheet of copper you left in for 24 hours longer is it more petina than the others
you could try the patina trick on those shiney screws.
Yep but different metals take different chemicals and I didn't have time to do more experimenting. : )
True. Just an idea.
wow great video I can't believe you managed to make it 12x longer than it needed to be. Thanks for telling me about the choice to scrap the towel and the cost of your plastic bin from walmart.
It's 2 minutes 30 seconds what the hell where you planning to do in that time?
Love that color! Cool vid!
Great video, thank you!
Glad you liked it!
you can get copper screws at elkins
I bought a clock oxidized unfortunately it dropped from the wall revealing a plastic coating that seems to be taking the patina off could that happen?
Wonderful - I am going to try this with a copper pen!
Is there a way to preservice or seal the patina? Clear coating maybe? Thanks for the great video!
Cool, and lovely! I wonder if sprayed with clear acrylic if the blue would stay, like the green also.
Are you supposed to pour the ammonia onto the copper?
Will white vinegar work as well as ammonia?
Great video! I'm about to doe this for my bar back splash. I wanted to know if you have to have the vapor chamber? The piece I'm using is 2'x32" not to many tubs that large.
May be a bit late but David Marks former show "Woodworks" shows a process how he soaks cheesecloth with chemicals and wrapped the copper bench legs he made.
I have to admit, you know what your doing April. looks good.
Hey! is it possible to patina an electroplated copper plate? its not the thickest but im not sure if it will work
Hi...........I just did this to some copper leaves. The patina is obvious after a couple of hours, but it is bright blue. Will it eventually turn greenish blue? Thanks, Joan
Yes, mine was blue also but turned a beautiful patina green! Thanks for watching.
To try to better preserve the verdigris it may be interesting to experiment making a few different mixtures of sealant from linseed / stand oil, other types of varnish and maybe some turpentine or another solvent. Maybe even an intermediate layer of clear acrylic spray.
How do make it so there is only a little blue coming through?
Will this work on electroformed copper? If so is it ok to put the entire item (including the items which are not fully coated) in the tank?
Awesome job!
Copper nails would look much better than the aluminum screws. You could also spray the screws or nails if you can't find bigger copper nails with hammered copper paint. Or, don't use any nails or screws and epoxy roofs onto the birdhouse. Letting the epoxy fumes air out would be best. After all your hard work the screws used ruins the effect. Other than that I learned a lot!
April, great bird house project. Another project mom and dad can see and say "my daughter made that for me". Did you know how to do that patina process or did you look up how to do it?
Where did you get the copper sheets I've looked at lowes and home depot can I cannot find them I'm trying to make something
Everyone I know will not be surprised when I say you should wear you safety glasses when handling chemicals. As a rule of thumb the gloves go on after the glasses. You don't want to see how far chemicals travel when you accidentally drop the bottle in the sink.
When I first saw the thumbnail of that previous video I was asking myself, why do you put there such an old copper sheet... As a wanted efect it seems to be good idea and very convincing efect for garnishing.
I also found another process that you could use for doing that with copper sheets and that’s using heavy amount of salt water like salt from the ocean or just taking a tank filling it with water and adding half of that with salt and then put the copper sheets inside and let it sit for 24 hours and you’ll have a nice patina to the copper and it’s safer
Do you know if this will work with brass? I want to try this on a bare brass zippo.
is the patina just color or is it also a texture
Hi
I was try to make blue patina with only salt and vinager it was removed easily when ı want to polished with metal polish. İs it permanent like a sulfur patina?
Great tip! Was actually planning a copper project that I wanted to age soon :)
How awesome, I hope it helped then!
+April Wilkerson Great help, the bluey teal colour before sealing is beautiful!
Agreed, I read that by not spraying the ammonia directly on the copper, it will give you this blue. So clean the sheets real good then sprinkle salt and just let it hover in the fume chamber above the ammonia. If you try a different sealer and it doesn't change the color let me know!
+April Wilkerson ahh great advice, thanks! I guess it must work slower not being applied directly. Maybe a matte spray lacquer won't alter the colour so much as it shouldn't penetrate into the patina as much and will dry super quick. ideally I'd like to avoid a glossy finish :)
Hello, is it the same for bronze? I have a candle holder of this material that I want to make this patina. Thank you
yes i have used on bronze, it comes out more light bluish and takes longer
Can you use salt/ammonia solution? , ie, dissolve the salt in the ammonia?
Such a great tutorial. Thank you!
Did u use vinegar or just salt
Amazing as usual
Hi. Does this patina work using brass or bronze instead?
Thanks alot!
Glad you liked it!
if you want to go to another level solder angle pieces of copper to make brackets so you dont have screws coming from the top
This turned out great! I would recommend you wear you protective glasses about 4 inches lower on your head next time ;). A lot of chemicals are very harmfull to your eyes, yet you may not even feel it if you get it on you. And if you think you got some in your eyes, rinse with water for as long as you can stand it, and then some.
; ) haha thanks, I actually meant to have my glasses on...just wasn't thinking.
Could you use a bag for chamber
Excellent results!
I always liked building eyebrow dormers and bay windows with copper roofs for an exterior accent, especially with wood shake roof homes.
Add some copper to your home or shop as an outdoor project.
....13
Thats really cool.
Cool, I have seen a few folks that have videos similar but i like this one best. The sanding is the best part. :O)