Metal patina (antiquing)

Patination is the process of aging metal, think of rust on steel or the green spots on old copper. This is a natural process, but it can also be done intentionally to achieve a certain look.

There are various ways to patinate metal, depending on the type of metal and the effect you want to achieve.

If you want to age a steel object, such as a sword, axe, or armor, you can do this in various ways.

The simplest way is to leave the object in the rain for a while and let it dry without wiping it. You can also bury the item in wet soil for a while. The steel will rust, giving it an aged appearance. After the steel has rusted, you can clean it with some steel wool or very fine black sandpaper.

Another method to age steel is by using vinegar and salt.

Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and a generous amount of salt. Spray the mixture on the steel object and let it sit for a few days. The more vinegar and salt solution you use and the longer you let it sit, the greater the effect. If you want a slower process so that you have more control over the effect, you can dilute the solution with water. You can neutralize the rusting process with a solution of baking soda and water. As with the first method, you can remove some of the rust with steel wool or very fine black sandpaper.

All three of these metals can be aged in the same way. All you need is vinegar and salt.

It is important to remember that this only works on items without a protective coating.

There are two different ways to patinate bronze/brass/copper with vinegar and salt.

The first way is to mix the vinegar and salt in a container that you can seal, such as a mason jar. You don't need a large amount, just enough to completely cover the bottom of the container.

Cover the object with the mixture of vinegar and salt by applying it with a brush or spraying it on. Once the item is completely covered with the mixture, place it in the container and seal it. Turn the item approximately every hour until you achieve the desired effect. Rinse the objects with water and dry them off.

If the patina becomes too dark, you can use steel wool or a small steel brush to soften the effect.

The other method is to soak the items in the mixture of vinegar and salt. Ensure that the amount of vinegar you use is sufficient to completely cover the objects and let them soak for at least 45 minutes. Then place the items on a paper towel and let them air dry. By allowing the items to air dry, the patina continues to develop. Check the process every 15 to 30 minutes, and once you have achieved the desired effect, you can rinse them with water and pat them dry. If you want a very heavily patinated effect, you can also add some vinegar or salt while the items are on the paper towel.

Here too, you can soften the patina afterward with steel wool or a small steel brush.