I am building a locomotive shed and have gotten to making the downspouts. I thought about trying to paint them to resemble copper patina. I was hoping someone could help with a recipe for mixing some colors to get that look.
I am also open for any other color you think would be good for them. My fallback color was brown.
Thanks,
Ed
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I used a product I found at Home Depot once to paint a clock frame with an antiqued copper look. It was a two part kit. Here is one that has the greenish copper patina look:
Rust-Oleum American Accents Model # 7985955 2-Part Light Patina Decorative Finishing Kit. This might be a more expensive option, but it will look very realistic. I think you need to go into the store though, because I only found a 3-pack online.
George
I've used #444 - Patiuna from the Folk Art line acrylic craft paint.
If you were to use actual copper, some ammonium acetate in acetic acid works nicely.....
Try yellow brown plus orange or red. In the dye business yellow brown was a principal mixing color used in many formulas.
Thank you all very much for the help. My job this afternoon is to try out some of the formulas you provided. I feel certain I will achieve the desired effect.
MWB - thanks for the info on using copper. I have another project in mind where I will use copper and your advice is perfect for the effect I would be looking for. Are those 2 chemicals readily available? I can just envision 2 guys in black suits from Homeland Security banging on my door wanting to know what I am getting those chemicals for.
Thanks again for the help,
Ed
I have some Rub-n-Buff copper patina paste that is dead on accurate. You wipe it on with a soft rag or paper towel and rub off the excess. I don't polish it too much. I think it's still available in Michael's.
Ed Walsh posted:MWB - thanks for the info on using copper. I have another project in mind where I will use copper and your advice is perfect for the effect I would be looking for. Are those 2 chemicals readily available? I can just envision 2 guys in black suits from Homeland Security banging on my door wanting to know what I am getting those chemicals for.
Ed
Weak acetic acid is vinegar; look for distilled vinegar (grocery store). Change the other to ammonium chloride; dilute aqueous ammonia (grocery store cleaning aisle) and dilute muriatic acid (used to be available at HD). You need to be careful and get them mixed together in equimolar amounts. Back to high school chemistry on that...... Then again, ummmmmm.....maybe you shouldn't, 
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