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Antiquing Brass or Bronze

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 yellow
Weathered — 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

 

Updated on June 12, 2018

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