Patina is an artificial mixture of different elements that contain cryptocrystalline aggregates of calcite with occasional foraminifera (powdered or partially dissolved chalk), ferruginous clay, charcoal, and some tiny specks of gold. That’s a real mouthful.
To put it more simply, Patina is the thin sheen that slowly develops over time on leather, metal or wooden goods caused by natural forces such as exposure to the sun. The term can refer to fading, darkening, or signs of aging.
Think of how leather looks after being left in the sun for a long time. Patina improves the natural appearance of the leather. This type of beauty forms with age over time. In this blog, we will learn more about this phenomenon.
What Is Patina Finishing?
Do you want your item to look aged? Patina is the chemical process that happens over time, making the piece look old. Metal will appear darker as it ages. You may not have time to wait around while your item ages, so artisans kick-start the process in various ways.
Have you ever stopped to admire a copper statue or stunning piece of art? Bronze, silver, and brass naturally tarnish when exposed to water and natural elements such as air.
This turns the shiny copper to a darker brown with varying tones. If left alone, it will eventually turn a stunning turquoise green. A perfect example is the famous Statue of Liberty.
A green or brown film starts forming on the object because copper is known as a living metal.
The main reason that it is so popular is that it is aesthetically pleasing. You will find Patina in architecture and many famous buildings.
How Is Patina Metal Different From Other Metallic Paint Finishes
We already know that patination is caused by oxidation or weathering in metals, stone, and wooden furniture. They form Patina to protect themselves against damage caused by corrosion.
Some fantastic paints on the market may look great, but they will always have a different feel than Patina.
Paint is applied as a solid color; conversely, Patina is a chemical reaction that occurs over a long period.
The color becomes a part of the metal itself. Metal can reflect light, and depending on how the light hits it, you will see various colors as you move around the object. Paint will always have the same color and tone.
Paint has come a long way, and some fantastic products are available, but none will compare to the natural beauty of patinas.
Metals that can be patinated:
- Copper
- Brass
- Bronze
- Zinc
- Steel
Patina finishes are perfect for achieving rustic, decorative textures in floor tiling, metals, brass, and even wood. It can be used on most metal products to achieve a stunning natural oxidized metal effect.
Patina can be used for sinks, tubs, table tops, light fixtures, mirrors, knobs and pulls, towel bars, backsplash murals, and much more.
Broad Range of Patina Finishes
Aged copper finishes include:
- Ayrshire: Relaxed, light copper patina with small specks of verdigris
- Cheshire Finish: Rich, natural colors look timeless and have the quality of aged metal
- Hertfordshire Finish: luxurious effect with larger areas of verdigris. Illusion of depth
- Northumberland: Swirls of color with multiple layers of copper and verdigris
Aged brass finishes
- Somerset Finish: Deep, lustrous aged brass with multi-layered Aged Patina
- Wiltshire Finish: Lighter, aged brass finish with speckles throughout
Patina
Patina is usually found in buildings, statues, and other art pieces but has various practical uses.
- Brass/Bronze: Add warmth to any room. The yellow and gold colors work well together, especially when patinated to a dark tone and highlighted with a light burnish to highlight the original color. It is found mainly in the kitchen on brass or bronze hood ranges. It can also be used on bronzed frames, handles, hinges and other hardware
- Polished Brass and Antique Brass: It is wonderfully versatile and has its own inherent beauty due to the golden sun-like color. If polished, it takes on a mirror appearance. You could often find this effect in the Victorian and Edwardian eras on furniture, doors, and windows and in the car industry
- Copper Patina: Copper reacts much like brass and can be found in copper cooking pots, plumbing pipes, and old building roof sold building roofs.
Rust Patina
Rust patina is an oxidizing of paint that makes the surface appear rusted. It can be used on wood, plastic, and fiberglass. It can be used for cast iron gates, church bells, landscape design, and street grids.
When done correctly, the Patina should be a dark brown to black color.
Black Patina
This unique finish can be used on iron, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, bronze, brass, and copper. It is used in furniture design to stimulate antiquity in newly made objects. It also stains glass and protects against further corrosion.
Black Patina is a great way to hide imperfections in soldering and other old parts. The Patina is applied and works quickly to achieve the desired result.
Turn Your Metal into Works of Art
Eckstrom Industries has been in the business for over 80 years, and in that time, we have learned a few tricks.
Our experts are there to answer any questions you may have, and you can rest assured that they are all licensed and certified to work in the fabrication, manufacturing, and distribution sectors handling chemicals safely.
We specialize in metal finishing, such as steel blackening, industrial fabrication, plasma cutting, sheet metal bending, and more. See for yourself how we can exceed your expectations.
Let us help you turn your metal into a work of art.