Subject: copper

From: pt4-019217 <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 5 Sep 1996 23:58:32 -0400 (EDT)

have been experimenting with soaking iron in
copper sulfate to get a copper coating on it
and this seems to work fairly well.. what i would
like to do is turn this coating green.. I have
tried several differant things but am not having
any luck.. does anyone know how to do this ? tks

CORYLAND BLACKSMITH
Tim Sanphy

---

From: David Wilson <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 6 Sep 1996 12:23:17 -0600

Tim Sanphy said,
>any luck.. does anyone know how to do this ? tks

I have found this in my old files, you might try it. The term "rod" applies
to a question from the original post. It's for brass rod but wouldn't that
work for your copper coating also?  I haven't been able to find the citric
acid in my grocery stores, however. Also, I've read that dormant spray,
(lime/sulphur) available from garden supply stores work. Haven't found that
either, maybe you can!

This post is from James T. Bober <[email-masked]>

>Dip the rod in a 50/50 mixture of household hydrogen peroxide (3%) and
>vinegar (5%), remove and let dry.  Or apply the solution with a small
>brush and let dry.  Repeat this cycle until you get the desired effect.
>This ought to give you classic blue-green "verdigris".  (As a historical
>note, people once did this by loosely interleaving copper or brass work
>with wine-soaked cloths, and letting the air get at it.)   For a greener
>finish, try substituting citric acid for the vinegar.  This is usually
>found as a powder in the canning section of your supermarket (i.e. where
>they have the mason jars and such). Mix up about a 10% solution of citric
>acid and add the peroxide.  I prefer the appearance produced by the citric
>acid/peroxide myself, but your tastes may be different.  Of course,
>degrease the rod with acetone or alcohol beforehand, and if necessary,
>give the work a quick brushing with 0000 steel wool
>Jim
>P.S. You can get a wonderful olive green deposit with a mixture of sulfur
>in N-methylimidazole, but the latter is not a household chemical, it's
>expensive, and hard for the hobbyist to get.

---

From: Jim McCarty <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 06 Sep 1996 10:31:01 -0500

> any luck.. does anyone know how to do this ? tks

Russell O'Dell, a copper spinner, recommended a couple of things to 
change the color of copper quickly. One was Miracle Grow plant 
fertilizer, the other was Little Bo Peep brand ammonia. One made it 
blue, the otehr green, forget which one. To use it put the stuff in a 
dish and cover the item and the dish with a plastic bag. After a 
couple of days the color will change.
-- 
Jim McCarty
Father Helias Forge
Taos, MO
Editor Rural Missouri Magazine
Newsletter editor, Blacksmiths Association of Missouri

³Foolish consistencies are the hobgoblins of little minds³