Barbara's Patina Tips
Can’t seem to get the right look with your patina, not dark enough or it is blotchy? Sometimes it is just a matter of making sure your solder lines are clean and shiny before applying your black patina. If your solder lines are dull you can clean them up with extra fine steel-wool. To get good even results on zinc you must thoroughly clean the zinc with extra fine steel-wool as well. Then apply the patina sparingly with a cotton ball and do not go over the zinc.
Another reason for the patina to not take on zinc is that the patina is too strong; so just add a little water. Use the patina full strength on the solder lines. When the cotton ball becomes black, get a fresh cotton ball, keeping the solution fresh. Do not let the patina dry on the glass. Put it on fast and then clean it off.
Copper Patina: Getting a truly shiny copper finish requires two basic things. The solder lines are very clean and shiny before applying the copper patina. Apply with a cotton ball and keep the solution fresh when applying. After rinsing thoroughly dry and then apply a finishing wax. This will make the copper shine and protect it.
The first step to a successful project is selecting, designing and drawing up the pattern. Make sure that your panel is "square" if making a rectangle or square panel. Use a ruler or straight edge when drawing straight lines. If you are working on a large project or one that is especially special, do your initial drawing in pencil. Put the proposed panel/project on the wall and take a look at it. Check for any possible difficult cuts and correct (that is why God made erasers). After you are satisfied.....INK the lines in with a new sharpie pen.
SOLDERING TIP: Ever been soldering and all of a sudden the solder will not flow or has black specks in it?
Some things to check.
Make sure the iron is at the right temperature. If your iron does not have a built in temperature controller, you may want to purchase a temperature controller for your iron. They are not expensive and will keep your iron from burining up prematurely.
Make sure the soldering tip is shiny. To keep it clean and shiny you need to keep it wiped off on your sponge. The sponge needs to be wet enough so that when you touch it water appears. If you have black specks on your tip, you need to clean it with a tip cleaner. Sal Ammoniac blocks do an excellent job of cleaning the tip. The Sal Ammoniac block helps "retin" the tip.
Also, make sure your flux is fresh and you are using a sufficient amount
ONE OTHER THING...WITH THE PRICE OF METAL INCREASING, BE AWARE OF INFERIOR SOLDER. SOME OF THE GENERIC SOLDERS ON THE MARKET, ALTHOUGH CHEAPER, MAY HAVE A LOT OF "TRASH" IN THEM AND CAUSE BLACK SPECKS AND A TERRIFIC HEADACHE!
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