Recipe 6

To make 250 ml

Make a mark at the 250 ml volume level on your container

Fill container with about 100 ml water

Add acetic acid (99.5% pure) 75 ml (azijnzuur)

Add sodium chloride 15 g (natriumchloride)

Add ammonia (25% pure) 15 ml (ammonia)

Allow solution to settle

Add ammonium chloride 15 g (ammoniumchloride)

Add water to 250 ml

For this project we chose eight different ways to apply the patination solutions to our rings, and each different method of application caused a radically different patina. Other methods of patination are possible, and we encourage you to try different techniques! The ninth piece of every set of rings has not been patinated, this shows the casting skin.

Be aware that everything in the world is made of “chemicals”, and that the tools you use to apply your patination solution can take part in your patination reaction, and change the patina. Use a non-reactive borosilicate glass as a container when working with heat or acids. Avoid using plastics when using heat. For brushing applications, use an inexpensive paintbrush made of natural fibres, such as a hog hair brush.

The specific notes on the application of this patina recipe are in Italic.

A

Applied on the untreated casting skin surface: repeated brush applications of the patination solution on bronze heated with a blow torch. Apply high heat and repeated application, then heat till glowing and quench in water to form patina.

B

Applied on a sandblasted surface: repeated brush applications of the patination solution on bronze heated with a blow torch. Apply high heat and repeated application, then heat till glowing and quench in water to form patina.

C

Applied on a sandblasted surface: repeated brush applications of two different patina solutions on bronze heated with a blow torch. Application of this patina solution, followed with a silver nitrate patination solution for silver (recipe 7). The silver nitrate completely covered the first patina.

D

Applied on a sandblasted surface: repeated brush applications over the course of ten days on room temperature bronze. Only moderate reaction, very translucent.

E

Applied on a sandblasted surface: boiling of the bronze in a heated patination solution. Formed a metallic patina.

F

Applied on a sandblasted surface: buried in wood chips soaked in patination solution for a week. Development of a very matte textured patina.

G

Applied on a sandblasted surface: single dip of bronze heated with a blow torch in heated patination solution. Resulted only in a general darkening of the surface.