Copper

Rich Gold

Pewter

Blonde Bronze

Antique Gold

Silver

Rust

Blackened bronze

Iron

Patina Green

Burgundy Tint

Gold

Steel

Patina Blue

Reactivity Chart

The following Metallic Surfacers are reactive. That is, the metal flakes in the paint will oxidize when treated with one of our Antiquing Solutions. There is not much difference in the formula between the Patina Green Antiquing Solution and the Rust Antiquing Solution and as it is the metal that determines if you get a rust or patina finish you can safely use the Rust Antiquing Solution as a substitute for Patina Green should you be working with both Iron and the other reactive Metallic Surfacers. The Patina Blue Antiquing Solution produces a strong blue patina and is the patina of choice for the very dark Blackened Bronze and Statuary Green Bronze Metallic Surfacers.

The lighter patina green colour on these dark metals frequently ends up looking somewhat grey or white (a look many like). Customers frequently ask if they can mix the Patina Antiquing Solutions together. The answer is that the colour of the patina is directly related to the ph strength of the solution. Mixing patina green and patina blue together will result in a ph that is totally different from either of these two solutions making the resulting patina colour and/or reaction difficult to predict. Customers have called to report great results and others have called with disappointing results.

Metallic SurfacerPatina SolutionsTint well?Tint Solutions
CopperPatina Green / Patina BlueNo
Blonde BronzePatina GreenYesBurgundy Tint
Blackened BronzePatina BlueNo
Statuary Green BronzePatina BlueNo
GoldPatina Green / Patina BlueYesBurgundy Tint
Rose GoldPatina GreenYesBurgundy Tint
Rich GoldPatina GreenYesBurgundy Tint
IronRust
PlatinumPatina Green

The following Metallic Surfacers are made with non-reactive metal flakes and will not oxidize.

Metallic SurfacerPatina SolutionsTint well?Tint Solutions
SteelNon-ReactiveYesBlackTint/Burgundy Tint
PewterNon-ReactiveNo
SilverNon-ReactiveYesBlackTint/Burgundy Tint
Silver BlueNon-ReactiveYesBlackTint/Burgundy Tint
Cobalt BlueNon-Reactive
Real MetalPatina SolutionsTint well?
IronRustNo
SteelRustNo
CopperPatina Green or Patina BlueNo
BrassPatina Green or Patina BlueNo
BronzePatina Green or Patina BlueNo

Note: On real copper / brass / bronze we often find that the Rust Antiquing Solution which is slightly milder then the Patina Green Antiquing Solution produces a more predictable green patina than the patina solution. Frequently the green patina solution when applied to real copper/ brass / bronze can “burn” the surface and produce a brown or black patina rather than the desired green look.

General Information

What you need to get started:
  • For most projects, we recommend a foam or otherwise inexpensive brush. The paints are naturally high levelling so they normally flatten out quite well for a smooth finish. If using a roller we suggest a very tight nap roller as thick rollers tend to grab and hold the metal flakes. Patina Antiquing Solutions are highly corrosive. We do not recommend using expensive brushes or equipment to apply them as they will quickly eat away most metal.
  • For larger projects, you may use a sprayer. The products are non-toxic, but we recommend you spray in a well-ventilated area wearing a respirator, protective eyewear and gloves.
  • Metallic Surfacers require the widest tip available. You may find the Iron Metallic Surfacer too chunky to successfully spray. For best results use an airless sprayer.
  • Patina Antiquing Solutions can also be machine sprayed but because of their natural corrosive properties they can quickly ruin expensive equipment and we do not recommend you use them in your sprayer. Plastic pump spray bottles are an effective way to apply the solution or small trigger spray bottles.
  • A disposable container to hold the Metallic Surfacer or the Patina Antiquing Solution during application.
Helpful Hints:
  • We strongly recommend testing before applying our finishes to any valuable object or when applying over a large surface for the first time.
  • Always pour a small amount of the Metallic Surfacer or Antiquing Solutions into a separate container and dip your brush into this container to prevent contamination. Never dip your brush directly into the product bottle. Never pour unused material back into the bottle. If the Metallic Surfacer becomes contaminated it can quickly oxidize in the bottle or can.
  • Try a variety of applicators such as brushes, rags, sponges, and sprayers to achieve the desired look.
  • Apply multiple Metallic Surfacers on one object for a beautiful tonal variation.
  • Experiment with a variety of materials—plaster, cloth, paper, concrete, wood, wicker, glass—any paintable surface!
How to Prepare your Surface for Painting
  1. Determine the type of primer required to prepare the surface you’re working with for the Metallic Surfacer. Our Primer and Clear Sealer is a 100% acrylic sealer and works well on most surfaces from porous to slick. It is not, however, a rust inhibitive primer and will not prevent the appearance of rust on iron or steel surfaces. If you choose to use a solvent based primer be sure to let the primer fully cure for 24 to 48 hours as the vapours a curing solvent based primer gives off will eat through the acrylic binder in our Metallic Surfacers.

 

 

  1. Thoroughly clean surface. Surfaces must be free of loose material, dirt, oil and grease.
  2. Apply appropriate primer. Allow primer coat to allow to fully dry overnight. Do not use outdoors if freezing or wet weather is expected within 48 hours.
Applying Metallic Surfacers:
  1. Prepare surfaces following the directions above.
  2. Shake or stir product before applying to ensure metal particles are well distributed.
  3. Apply first coat. Allow airing dry. 30 to 60 minutes under typical situations.
  4. Apply additional coats as necessary to achieve desired results. (Most surfaces will require two coats for optimal results.)
  5. If you are planning to use with the Patina Antiquing Solution, read application directions below. It is important to apply the antiquing solution to the Metallic Surfacer before the final coat fully dries. (Except for the Iron Metallic Surfacer)
  6. If applying outdoors, do not use if freezing or wet weather is expected within 48 hours.
  7. Clean up with water.

Note: Certain Metallic Surfacers work best with particular Patina Antiquing Solutions. Check our Reactivity Chart for suggestions.

Create a Beautiful Patina:

Create a Beautiful Patina on Copper, Gold or Bronze Metallic Surfacers.

  1. Check our Reactivity Chart to ensure the Metallic Surfacer will react with Patina Antiquing Solution.
  2. Apply over Metallic Surfacers when the second (or final) coat of Surfacer is still tacky, generally within 3-15 minutes of application.
  3. For a deep, colourful patina, apply a heavy first coat.
  4. For a lighter finish or if you are uncertain how much patina you want, apply a light first coat, allow to oxidize for a few hours, then apply a second coat.
  5. If overnight little or no patina has developed, then the Metallic Surfacer was too dry when the Patina Antiquing Solution was applied. To reapply, clean the surface by lightly buffing or sanding the surface clean and begin the process again by applying a new coat of metallic surfacer applying the patina solution earlier.

Note:

  • Generally apply the patina solution within 3-15 minutes of the last application of Metallic Surfacer.
  • Consider environmental factors such as surface temperature, air temperature, humidity and air circulation when deciding how much time to allow between the Metallic Surfacer and the Patina Antiquing Solution.
  • For a more dramatic and brighter patina, apply the Patina Antiquing Solution while the Metallic Surfacer is still very tacky (3-5 minutes).
  • The Patina Antiquing solutions are very forgiving. If you have more patina than desired, simply reapply 1-2 thin coats of the Metallic Surfacer to absorb and mute the patina colours. Do not put your paintbrush into your main source of paint while doing this as you risk triggering the oxidation of all your paint.
  • We recommend using a clear sealer when the piece is exposed to water or comes in contact with people or clothing as the patina can flake or runoff staining surrounding surfaces.
  • Blackened Bronze reacts best with Patina Blue. Create beautiful aqua blue colours by applying the Patina Blue immediately after your final wet coat of Blackened Bronze. If you try to use Patina Green on Blackened Bronze you will not get a green patina colour, but instead will have a grey washed colour effect.

Create a Beautiful Patina on Genuine Copper, Gold or Bronze Metal.

  1. Clean metal surface of loose debris, dirt, grease, oil, paint, lacquer or varnish. Many copper objects in particular are coated with lacquer to prevent any patina development, this can usually be removed with paint remover and/or steel wool. Some objects have a baked on clear finish that is virtually impossible to remove. If your “old” copper, brass or bronze metal is nice and shiny that is usually an indication that some sort of protective coating is on the surface.
  2. Lightly buff the metal to scuff the surface. 0000 Steel Wool dipped in a mild TSP Solution and then rinsing the surface with clean water works well for removing most dirt and grease.
  3. Test a small, discreet area before applying to entire piece.
  4. If using Patina Blue directly on copper, brass or bronze, water down the solution by 40%.
  5. Patina Green should not need to be watered down for direct use on copper, brass or bronze but if you get a brown or black patina or if the green patina that develops flakes off in large chunks try adding water to reduce the strength. You may dilute to 50% of full strength.
  6. Apply several light coats or one heavier coat.
  7. Allow the oxidation to work its magic. It can take up to 3 days for the full patina colour to develop.

Create Rust on Genuine Iron or Steel.

  1. Clean surface of loose debris, dirt, grease, oil, paint, lacquer or varnish. Mill scale on iron is always a concern and must be removed.
  2. To produce deeper rust, lightly sand the metal to scuff the surface.
  3. Apply a light coat of Rust Antiquing Solution.
  4. Apply additional coats until you achieve the desired look.

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