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Patination of Bronze & Brass

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Alan Worland	01/07/2011 21:13:06
247 forum posts 21 photos	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
Niloch	01/07/2011 22:26:29
371 forum posts	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.
Weldsol	02/07/2011 08:31:34
74 forum posts	I have used Liberon Tourmaline in the past and got good results Paul
John McNamara	02/07/2011 12:54:19
1377 forum posts 133 photos	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	02/07/2011 21:02:26
247 forum posts 21 photos	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	08/07/2011 20:49:23
247 forum posts 21 photos	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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