Aging copper ?

[Bart]

Can anyone tell me the best way to achieve patina on copper? I made a vinegar gas generator that works OK, but is there a better way?

[westerner]

I used ammonia to age some brass parts a while back.  I put a folded soaked paper towel and the [arts in a lidded Tupperware container. 24 hours they had nice verdigris on the parts.

               Joe.

[Nate McKenzie]

My wife used to do stained glass work and used a product specially made to patina copper and another for lead. She doesn't have them anymore and can't remember the name.  If you look up stained glasswork suppliers you should find it.

[KNeilson]

Colorwise you will be able to find anything that is/was available here.....     http://www.sculptnouveau.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=34&category=6
Hope this helps... Kerry   

[flintman-tx]

A few years ago, I used a product called  Dellers Darkener to put patina back on large cents when someone had cleaned them to shiny bright. It worked well. You might Google it.

[rick landes]

This is the exact opposite of your question, but may be a good use to clean and start your aging. Copper when heated to red and then dunked into isoprophyl alcohol will be as bright as polished. This removes all the surface junk.

I use "Iso-Heet" for this. Do use in an well vented area. I have never had the alcohol flame.

The first space shuttle had some copper parts my partner had welded up and his was how he cleaned those parts.

[Meteorman]

here's some formulas for various metal patinas: http://www.sciencecompany.com/patinas/patinaformulas.htm#1

#1 worked great on some brass I did... but, caveat emptor.

/MM