Patination of Bronze & Brass

[Alan Worland 1Participant @alanworland1]

[Alan Worland 1Participant @alanworland1]

I thought it would be a good idea to colour (oxidise) my steam engines bronze and brass parts rather than trying to keep them polished.

I pckled the parts in sulphuric acid to get them to an equal ‘brightness’ then hot water washed and submerged them in a solution of ferric nitrate for a couple of hours. I then washed them in hot water again and brushed all surfaces with a toothbrush and put them in a fresh mix of ferric nitrate overnight.

The results are not quite what I had hoped for!

I had hoped for a nice even ‘browness’ to the surfaces but they have come out a bit blotchy with different grades taking more or less of the process.

What is the best way of achieving the colour I am after?

 

Alan

 

[NilochParticipant @niloch]

Sir,

As I have just returned from my annual visit to the RA Summer Exhibition it would seem particularly apposite to compose a response to you query which, I hope, may be of assistance especially as there were some fine examples to be seen, not least, the emotive work of James Butler, RA and his Rainbow Division Memorial.

I presume you will have spent some considerable time seeking answers on the web, perhaps, without too much success. You are impinging on the art world and I would respectfully suggest that you consult a foundry specialising in the casting and patination of bronze sculpture.

This is one such foundry, this another and yet another , it is very possible you will have one in your locality.

With regard to books, try Bronze Sculpture Casting and Patination: Mud, Fire, Metal by Steve Hurst. ISBN 0764321641 Regrettably I don’t regard it as cheap, not for my pocket at any rate.

 

[WeldsolParticipant @weldsol]

I have used Liberon Tourmaline in the past and got good results

 

Paul

[John McNamaraParticipant @johnmcnamara74883]

Hi All

 

I noticed this a while back

 

Metal-colouring and bronzing

Author Arthur Horsman Hiarns

 

On the internet archive. (Not in copyright)

 

http://wwww.archive.org/details/metalcolouringa00hiorgoog

 

Or a general search on “Metal” at the same site

http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=metal%20AND%20collection%3Aamericana

 

I am sure there are other Gems there for those that delve.

 

Yep there are Gems….This should be a separate post.

 

Searched Lathe:

http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=lathe%20AND%20collection%3Aamericana

 

Searched Milling Machine:

http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=Milling%20machine%20AND%20collection%3Aamericana

 

Great site

 

Cheers

 

John

 

 

Edited By John McNamara on 02/07/2011 12:57:12

Edited By John McNamara on 02/07/2011 13:10:45

[Alan Worland 1Participant @alanworland1]

Thanks for the information guys – all very usefull stuff!

I aborted the process I was trying (which I found on the net) as it was giving really poor results. The parts have now been re pickled and await my next trial, a product I found on ebay – a patination fluid, which if it does what it says on the tin will be great (similar to the Liberon product)

Will keep you posted!

 

Alan

[Alan Worland 1Participant @alanworland1]

Well I received the patination fluid which is mixed at 10% with water and parts dipped for a max of 2 minutes then washed, dried for 6 hours.

All the bronze and brass parts went a dark brown colour which I then wax polished to a lustre.

They look now like they were made 15 years ago! and seems not to ‘scatch off’ under a finger nail – just what I was after and worth a go if you want the old bronze look!

 

Alan

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