There are many commercially available products that can be applied to copper alloys to accelerate the oxidization process. Many of these are available at your local hardware store paint departments. For the names of product suppliers, contact Wagner directly.
Here is a blacksmith recipe provided by Travis Fleming of Fleming Iron Works:
1 qt white vinegar
1 qt ammonia
1 cup lemon juice
1 tbs salt.
Clean copper then spray on. it will turn in a few minutes
The following color charts are based on the Copper Development Association’s Architectural Guide and indicate aging patterns on various copper alloys.
| C23000 – RED BRASS |
| Nominal Composition: 85% copper; 15% zinc |
| Color: Natural — reddish yellow Weathered — from chocolate brown to gray-green patina in six years |
natural |
1 week |
1 month |
1 year |
5 years |
10 years |
| C28000 – MUNTZ METAL | ||||||
| Nominal Composition: 60% Copper; 40% Zinc |
||||||
| Color: Natural — reddish yellowWeathered — from red brown to gray-brown in six years |
natural |
1 week |
1 month |
1 year |
5 years |
10 years |
| C38500 – ARCHITECTURAL BRONZE | ||||||
| Nominal Composition: 57% Copper; 40% Zinc; 3% Lead |
||||||
| Color: Natural — reddish yellow Weathered — from russet-brown to dark brown in six years |
natural |
1 week |
1 month |
1 year |
5 years |
10 years |
|
Sheet and Plate Alloys |
Extrusions |
Castings |
Fasteners |
Tube & Pipe |
Rod & Wire |
Filler Metals |
|
Alloy C28000 Muntz Metal |
Alloy C38500 Architectural Bronze |
Alloys C85500, C85700 |
Alloys C26000, C36000, C46400, C46500 |
Alloy C23000 Red Brass |
Alloy C28000 Muntz Metal |
Alloy C68100 low fuming bronze |