What is Patination?
In simple words, patination is the process of giving a metal makeover to make it look old and cool. Patination is often used on metals to change their texture and colour. It enhances the aesthetics and makes them look like they’ve been around there for a long time.
Why Patinate?
Patination has numerous benefits:-
Looks: It gives the metal an older and vintage look, which people find more attractive.
Protection: Patination protects metal from rust and damage and contributes to its longevity.
Value: Patinated metals are valuable because of their looks and durability.
Patination Techniques :-
There are numerous ways to patinate metal, and each method gives a unique look to metal. Following are the few common methods of metal patination.
Chemical Patination :-
Liver of Sulfur: Liver of Sulfur is a chemical compound that contains “Sulfur” and “Sodium”. When this compound comes in contact with copper or silver, then it reacts with the metal surface to create a dark, tarnished layer on the metal surface.
Exact colour transformation results can vary. Two factors are concentration and other is the exposure time of metal with the liver of sulfur, which influences the colour of the metal surface.
Ammonia (NH3): Ammonia is a gas with no colour and powerful odour. When it comes in contact with copper, it immediately reacts with oxygen to form copper carbonate, a green compound. This process creates a greenish layer on the surface of the metal. It looks fancy and attractive.
Acids: Acids like hydrochloric and nitric acid can be used to create different patinas on different metals. Hydrochloric acid can be used on copper metal to create a greenish layer on its surface. The saturation of the greenish layer totally depends on the concentration of Hydrochloric Acid.
On the other hand, if you use nitric acid, then it will create a yellowish or orange patina on the same metal surface. A more intense concentration of Nitric Acid will produce a darker orange colour, and a lesser concentration will produce a subtle yellow colour on the metal surface.
Heat Patination :-
In this technique, heat is used to change the colour of the metal. Flame Patination and Torching are the two main types of heat patination.
Flame Patination: This method involves applying flame directly to the metal surface. The heat of flame causes metal to react with the oxygen in the air. It creates a new coloured layer on the surface. The intensity of flame heat and the type of metal contribute to the final colour outcome on the metal surface.
Torching: Torching is also similar to flame patination. In this method, the torch is used to heat the metal. This method produces numerous colours depending on the type of metal, heat intensity and technique used.
These two methods involve heating the metal to change the colour of the metal surface.
Mechanical Patination :-
Mechanical patination is the technique of creating a patina on a metal surface using external force. Let’s learn about two mechanical patination methods.
Hammering: When you hit a metal surface with a hammer, it creates dents and marks on it. A gradual force is used while hitting the metal so it creates an aesthetic texture (a hard blow can damage or break it). Texture made by hitting a hammer is enhanced after some time with chemical patination.
Wire Brushing: By scrubbing metal surfaces with a wire brush, distressed or aged looks can created. Rubbing brush wears out some metal from the surface and leaves marks behind, which later on enhance.
Other Techniques :-
Natural Patination: If a metal piece of art or a sculptor is left outside for a prolonged time, then it naturally changes its colour. This process is known as natural patination. For example, if a copper metal is left outside for a prolonged time, it will turn green due to the reaction of air and water.
Electrolytic Patination: This is a complicated patination method. In this process, electricity is used to coat one metal with another. This gives a new colour and look to metal.
Patination on Different Metals :-
Copper: Copper changes colour in many different ways. You can make it green, brown or black with specific techniques and chemicals.
Brass: Brass is another metal that changes its colour. It can convert from light golden brown to dark brown.
Silver: Some people apply patina on silver metal, too, just to make it look old and aesthetic.
Conclusion :-
Patination is a technique that allows you to transform the appearance of metal. Giving them a unique, old and attractive look. There are various patination methods for different metals and unique requirements. Understanding the different patination techniques and their impact on various metal surfaces will help you in enhancing the look and longevity of metals. Patination also provides a way to unleash their creativity. With a little patience and the right knowledge, you can contribute to the longevity and aesthetics of metal sculptors, which will be praised for years.
For professional metal patination service, connect today with BeSpoke Patination.
Read more: Best Guide of Patination and Patination Techniques