Recipe 8

To make 250 ml

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

Fill container with about 100 ml water

Add ammonium persulphate 25 g (ammoniumpersulfaat)

Add copper (II) sulphate 1 g (koper (II) sulfaat)

Add ammonia (25% pure) 5 ml: add 1 ml at a time and allow to settle (ammonia)

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. High heat and repeated application necessary.

B

Applied on a sandblasted surface: repeated brush applications of the patination solution on bronze heated with a blow torch. High heat and repeated application necessary.

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: 5 g of silver nitrate in 250 ml of water).

D

Applied on a sandblasted surface: repeated brush applications over the course of ten days on room temperature bronze. Forms an intense green-blue colour crust, which rinses off leaving a translucent patina.

E

Applied on a sandblasted surface: boiling of the bronze in a heated patination solution. Resulted in a translucent patina, with brighter areas clustered around casting defects.

F

Applied on a sandblasted surface: buried in wood chips soaked in patination solution for a week. Development of a white translucent top layer, needs extra rinsing.

G

Applied on a sandblasted surface: single dip of bronze heated with a blow torch in heated patination solution. Resulted in a dark patina with brighter highlights.