How to Age Copper Foil
Copper foil is a thin material that is most often used by crafters to create decorative objects for the home or garden. Copper foil is bright and shiny initially, but ages progressively into a reddish bronze color and finally into a green or blue green shade. The natural aging process is caused by oxidation on the surface of the copper, forming what is called a patina. You can easily age copper foil without waiting years for oxidation to build up with specialized patina solutions or by exposing your copper foil to certain types of air.
Things You'll Need
- Copper foil
- Dishwashing detergent
- Rag
- Abrasive metal cleaner
- Toothbrush
- Gloves
- Mask
- Patina solution or stain
- Clear sealer or polyurethane
Instructions
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Commercial Patinas
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1
Clean your copper foil object before you apply a commercial patina solution. Use dishwashing detergent and a rag to remove surface oil and grease, then scrub it with a toothbrush and abrasive metal cleaner.
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2
Apply one coat of commercial patina solution to the copper foil. Most products may be sprayed or brushed on with a small paint brush. Make sure that you apply the patina solution in a well-ventilated area. Patina solutions contain strong chemicals, so follow all recommended safety procedures such as wearing gloves and a mask during the application.
Allow the patina solution to dry on the copper foil. Depending on the solution you select, drying could take up to several hours. If the color you seek does not appear with one coat, apply another coat of patina solution and let it dry.
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3
Apply a clear sealer to the copper foil that is compatible with the patina solution you selected. Buy your materials as part of a kit or select solutions from the same manufacturer and read the labels for compatibility. The sealer will help the copper foil maintain the level of color that you created with the patination process.
Stain
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4
Brush a coat of dark stain onto the surface of the copper foil to create an antique appearance. This works especially well on hammered copper foil projects. The stain will help emphasize the highs and lows in the piece.
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5
Wipe the stain from the surface of the foil after a minute or two. Allow the stain to dry. You can continue applying stain to the foil and removing it until the copper is aged as you like. Allow each coat of stain to dry before adding another.
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6
Spray a thin coat of polyurethane over the surface of your stained copper foil. The polyurethane will help hold the stain color and will help protect the surface of the copper foil from scratches.
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Tips & Warnings
You can also place your copper foil beside a pool or outside near the sea. Salt and chlorine in the air help the oxidation process progress faster. This process will still take much longer than coating the copper foil with a commercial patina solution or staining it. Depending on the level of salt and chlorine in the air, your copper could age in several months as opposed to many years without the chlorine or salt air.
References
Resources
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Comments
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I used a black oxide and that worked well for a fast patina look and then coated with a dull coat... My customer liked the end result and that is what it is all about!
