Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Safe, even black patina on zinc
Q. What kind of finishes can I get on zinc? I'm a jewelry major and don't normally work with zinc, but I'm doing a photo etching process on some which will be incorporated with other metals. I was wondering what a good method for getting a dark patina on zinc would be. I believe that there's some solutions used for zinc that stained glass window makers use, but I haven't been able to really track any down. Thanks, Tim.
Timothy McMahon- Brooklyn
2002
A. Look in the book section of the home page for this site. There is an excellent book on Patinization. It would be a great addition for your personal library if the college does not have it.
James Watts- Navarre, Florida
2002
Q. We manufacture decorative panels of painted glass that has the appearance of stained glass,which we sell to stores around the country. We frame them in zinc. I would like to darken (antique) the zinc in some way that does not involve chemicals that pose a health or safety risk to our workers. Any ideas?.
Sheri McHenrygiftware designer - LaMirada , California, USA
2004
2004
A. Black for zinc:
200 gm iron chloride
1 lit water
Black for zinc II:
1 heaping teaspoon salt
2 heaping teaspoons copper sulphate
1 cup water(200 ccm)
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
Multiple threads merged: please forgive chronology errors :-)
Q. I make custom stained glass and some pieces include zinc came (zinc metal strips which hold the glass). When attempting to put a black patina on the zinc using a commercial patina I have not been able to achieve a smooth even patina. I have tried cleaning the zinc with alcohol, 00 steel wool ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and some other cleaners. Various methods of applying the patina using brushes, cloth, sponges and even a paper towel all fail to result in achieving a smooth even patina. Some areas will be a rich dark black patina while other areas are a pale light color, almost as if the patina is not taking (which is probably the case). How do I achieve a good even patina on the zinc? Am I not doing something right (obviously)? Is there a treatment of the zinc, prior to applying the patina, that needs to be done? I really would appreciate any comments or suggestions in how to achieve a good patina.
Thank you,
Frank WenzelMake custom Stained Glass - The Villages, FL, USA
2004
A. Recipe II, above, is something for you. Only for grease and oxide free surfaces. And you must lacquer it (or wax).
Good luck!
Goran Budija- Cerovski vrh Croatia
2004
Q. I am building new windows that will be installed next to existing windows and I want to speed up the natural oxidation process that ages zinc that has been exposed to the weather. All of the commercial sulphate patina and bluing solutions turn the metal black and leaved the surface shiny. I'm looking for a matte / dull pewter finish, kind of a flat gray. Any ideas other than letting it age on it's own?
Theodore EllisonLeaded Glass Design - Oakland, California
2006
-- appended to this thread by editor
How do you get a more SHINY black patina effect on Zinc?
2006Q. Hello, I am a producer of decorative window panels and have been trying to nail down a patina effect on zinc. My company is a supplier for a large company that demands high volumes of patina finished panels. Originally, our patina process and ultimate outcome was fine, however, another supplier changed their process making the patina a darker, shiner black. I have been trying to get a deep and shiny black but run into 2 problems.
1) Can't get the black dark enough. It often comes out a little more gray than desired.
I've tried all sorts of patinas and processes (e.g., copper sulphate
⇦this on
eBay or
Amazon [affil links] edging before patina application).
2) Can't get the patina consistent enough throughout the entire panel.
I've noticed that on the outside zinc came (thicker material - still zinc), there is a rather spotty or blotchy effect. The inside came (thinner material - also zinc) has areas that look great, but I can't get it consistent throughout the entire panel. I'm thinking this may be a chemical problem (you should also know that we use solder and flux to fuse the panel together). I've also been applying a liquid shoe polish after the patina process but the result is still blotchy and not black enough.
Can anyone offer any suggestions? I would really appreciate some help! Thanks!
Mike
- Xiamen, Fujian, China
A. The primary cause of patina problems comes from not cleaning the zinc thoroughly before applying the patina. The zinc can be washed with a weak soap and water solution and allowed to dry or, as I prefer, wiped clean with 90% alcohol and then buffed dry with a cloth. The zinc MUST be completely dry before applying the patina.
Always use fresh patina. Take a little from the bulk container and put it in a small bottle then apply the patina from that. Throw away any left over as it seems to get weak after exposure to air.
Use a soft dry cloth (cotton works well) and apply a patina to the cloth then run it on to the zinc. Don't be afraid to really rub it in as that is what will give you the dark uniform color. After the patina "takes" buff it with a clean dry cloth.
Good luck!
- Woodland, California
2006
Q. Hello, I am needing to develop a patina on Zinc. It seems all the recipes I am seeing are for copper, brass, etc. Does anyone know of some patina recipes for Zinc? Thanks Jen
Jen Brennan- Melbourne, Australia
November 17, 2011
Multiple threads merged: please forgive chronology errors :-)
Q. Good Day Sir,
I am trying to get a black patina on my Zinc Table Top.
But I am not able to find a solution for the same.
Can you please advise us how to do that?
- Aligarh, India
November 10, 2014
Q. I have a belt buckle that is made of zinc alloy (what I was told) and am interested in changing the color to something different and fun. Would be cool if it could change to a bright bronze color or maybe even blue. Any suggestions on how to do so?
Thanks
- erie, Colorado, usa
December 23, 2017
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Ed. note: You might also be interested in closely related thread no. 31486.
Try my download free booklet on metal coloring and cyanide-free plating; there you can find small chapter on zinc coloring (https://www.finishing.com/169/16912ext.pdf). Hope it helps and good luck!
Goran Budija- Zagreb,Croatia
December 27, 2017
Q. Do any of these zinc patination recipes work over Hot Zinc Sprayed steel? I am looking to recreate a 'chemically blackened' finish that can be used outside. Be glad for any comments.
Scott Flint- Leiston, Suffolk, UK
March 8, 2018
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