How to Antique Patina Metal

Apply your own patina treatment at home.

A patina treatment is a technique for aging and antiquing any metal object. You can recreate this look at home, using objects like a bronze vase or silver bowl. By mixing certain chemicals to make a patina bath, you'll have a quick and easy mixture that can patina a number of items, which will save costs over purchasing ready-made patina accessories. Consider a patina treatment for gift-giving ideas or to spruce up your own home.

Things You'll Need

• 1 pint water
• 1 tsp ferric chloride
• 1/2 tsp ferric nitrate
• Bucket
• Metal object
• Rag
• Soap
• Paintbrush
• Newspaper

Instructions

1. Mix 1 pint of water with 1 teaspoon of ferric chloride and 1/2 teaspoon of ferric nitrate. Combine the ingredients in a clean plastic bucket.

2. Clean the item you want to patina, using a rag and some warm water and soap. Dry the item with a towel.

3. Place the item you will patina in a bathtub to protect other objects from the patina process.

4. Apply the patina to the object using a paintbrush. Dab at the object until all the surface area has been applied with the mix. Let it sit until the object begins to look rusted and aged.

5. Rinse the object off with cold water. Dry it using balled up newspaper.

References

• Science Company: Patina Formulas for Brass, Bronze and Copper