HOW TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT PATINA ON COPPER
Patina is the greenish or bluish coating that appears on copper (and other metals) over time. If you’re a lover of patina, you probably know it takes time and the right conditions to create it—and you’ll do everything in your power to preserve and protect it.
The key to keeping patina on copper looking its best is to find the right product to protect it – something that will prevent corrosion and damage while preserving the patina at the same time; a product that will coat your copper items lightly, preserving the patina while also shielding the copper from fingerprints, smudges, and other damage.
Before we delve into how to protect and preserve patina on copper, let’s first learn about patina, including why and how it forms.
HOW PATINA FORMS ON COPPER
If you’ve ever seen the Statue of Liberty, you’ve seen patina. It’s a coating that appears on copper with age, giving it a distinctive green, blue or sometimes brownish coating.
But how does patina form? It’s a process like rusting, which is caused when iron is exposed to oxygen and water. But while rust is considered undesirable, a fine patina adds to the value and beauty of copper.
Known as patination, the process can take many years. It occurs as copper is exposed to one or more of the following substances:
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Carbonate
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Chloride salts
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Sulfate
The colors that appear, and the intensity of them, will depending upon the concentration or combination of these three things. Ultimately, the patina is formed through oxidation. In other words, oxygen reacts with the carbonate, chloride salts, or sulfate.
The process of patination can sometimes be sped up. Taking ammonium chloride crystals, copper sulfate, or ammonium sulfate and mixing them with concentrated ammonia and water will give you the right results. You can also use a simple mixture of household ammonia, vinegar, and table salt. Simply mix and wipe the mixture on the copper with a lint-free cloth to encourage patination. You can also mist the mixture onto your copper if you prefer.
PATINA ON EVERYDAY ITEMS
Copper patina is part of what gives antique jewelry its beauty and charm. The same is true if you have a copper sink or decorative items made of copper.
You may have copper in your home in the form of:
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Jewelry
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Accent pieces
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Sinks
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Cookware (pots and pans)
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Decorative items
Copper cookware is prized in professional kitchens because it conducts heat easily, helps cooks avoid hot spots in their pans, and is lightweight enough to be easily lifted even when filled with food or liquid.
Vintage jewelry was often made with copper and the patina can add to its beauty and charm. In fact, jewelry makers sometimes use liquid patinas to give the appearance of a natural patina on their jewelry. That should tell you something about how much people prize a beautiful copper patina.
Since copper can be quite expensive, it’s important to treat your copper with a great deal of care and find the right product to use to protect it.
THE BEST PRODUCT TO PRESERVE PATINA ON COPPER
It can be difficult to find products that offer protection without damaging copper patina. The issue with most metal cleaners and sealers is that they will remove the patina from copper items instead of preserving it. While removing rust and creating a glossy shine is a bonus, the last thing you want is to ruin the patina on your copper pieces by using the wrong product. The key is finding a product that will protect and beautify your copper without damaging or removing the patina.
Luckily, SimpleCoat will preserve patina on your copper items while removing fingerprints, smudges and protecting from rust and corrosion. SimpleCoat is safe, nontoxic and easy to use. To treat your copper jewelry, sinks, and other items, simply follow these steps.
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Apply a few drops of SimpleCoat to a clean, lint-free cloth
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Wipe the SimpleCoat over the copper
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Using a dry cloth, wipe off any excess
SimpleCoat requires no drying time and your copper items will be safe for use immediately after treatment. Unlike a lot of metal cleaners and sealing products, it contains no harmful chemicals and won’t create toxic fumes in your home. It’s also safe for frequent use to remove dust and lint from your copper items.
Whether you love or hate it, copper patina is something special and highly desired by many. If you have copper pieces in your home you want to preserve and protect, SimpleCoat will clean and shine your copper without removing or damaging the patina.
