How to put a patina on copper; anyone?

Question

I need to know what i can use to put a green patina on copper. Also wondering what are neat uses or ideas for copper around the house or garden. Thank you!

Answer 1

As a chemist, I can see all of the suggestions working. "glc" raises an interesting copper fact, in areas with acid rain and soil the copper will patina green but in areas that are alkaline the copper turns a chocolate brown. Horse urine was used for many things in the past and I always wondered how they got it in any quantity until I saw a strange contraption hanging in my grandfathers barn. It looked like a canvas feed bag that would hang under a mares tail. My grandfather sold it like any other farm product and said a pregnant mares urine sold for twice as much as plain, now if I could just remember why. RScott

Answer 2

Copper Patina Solutions

Answer 3

Try mixing some lemon juice in with a heavy concentration of peroxide? Maybe you could mix Oxyclean into a paste with lemon juice and then spread it onto the copper. I give no guarantees, I think this might be on the right track since copper tarnishes when it oxidizes. Unfortunately products like Oxyclean only stay active for short periods. Maybe if you could put some sort of a tarnishing agent `onto the freshly exposed copper. Get the idea? Look up STATUE OF LIBERTY and I bet you'll find out quick how copper tarnishes (check the links)

Answer 4

i believe there's something you can buy that accelerates the verdigris process - normally it's formed by just setting it outside unprotected/unsealed and in the elements.

EDIT:
Just found this online:

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.

Pre-mix 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.

Answer 5

This is my favorite color Verdigris green. I just leave my copper items out to weather on their own and they turn this great color.

Answer 6

Apply Chlorine bleach and let it dry.

Answer 7

Horse urine. Believe it, it works.