How To Get A Blue Green Patina On Copper Roof

Copper roofing is bright pink to begin with and in time it can gain a brownish color and then a nice blue green patina.

How to get a blue green patina on copper roof.

The formation of patina on copper is similar to the formation of rust on iron. This is done by swabbing the surface with a cold 5 10 solution of sulfuric acid. Oxide film on the copper will cause poor adherence of the patina. Copper roofing and gutters are slow to patina here in the desert with our dry hot climate.

Copper roofs which have weathered for six months or more should have the oxide film removed before the coloring operations start. Both happen when oxygen in the air interacts with the metal atoms in the presence of water. Remove oxidation from copper with a paste made of white vinegar salt and flour. After rinsing soak the copper in a 1 to 1 ratio of white vinegar and salt in a small bowl for half an hour.

That being said it is still possible to use chemical treatments to advance this copper roof patina process. It may take many years for the green patina to occur. Link to rockler and rub gently. Copper reacts with oxygen that is in the air resulting in copper dioxide equation 1.

When roof is dry and clean apply straight muriatic acid affil. The environment will affect the color and the rate at which the copper changes colors. Washing the copper with different solutions can accelerate the natural patina process. Acid washing the copper will make the green patina happen.

Start by washing the copper with mild dish soap to remove all oils that may resist the patina. Link to product info on amazon with a bristle brush and a spray bottle protect your hands. This will make your roof a nice patina green in hours. The patina is due to the process of oxidation and the sulfur particles in the atmosphere.

This process will take several months or years depending on the atmospheric conditions in your area. Bleach sprayed on brass will give you a green patina i haven t tried it on copper. There is however a major caveat to that unnatural choice. 3 tablespoons white vinegar 5 45 ml 1 teaspoon table salt 5 ml 2 stirred very well until the salt dissolved completely.

The copper dioxide then reacts with more oxygen to form copper oxide equation 2. Prep to remove oxidation by verifying the metal item is really copper and checking for the presence of lacquer. The wet copper is placed on a towel to air dry. Link to product info on amazon then take 0000 steel wool affil.

Many common cleaners leave this patina untouched. A little baking soda rubbed into the copper along the grain helps scrub away microscopic particles. Exposure to air can cause your copper to oxidize and tarnish with a blue green patina. It s even possible to choose the color of a coppers patina through chemical treatment.

If you want your roof to look 100 years old overnight just clean it with wright s copper cream affil. Achieving a quality patina in our desert climate. Let the solution air dry and then repeat until the patina appears.