Curator Antiquing Fluid

Description

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Choose the right Curator finish

Curator Antiquing Fluid is available in four different finishes. Choosing the correct colour is important because each formulation produces a different patina.

Black Curator Antiquing Fluid

The Black formulation produces a deep grey to black aged appearance. It is the only Curator Antiquing Fluid in this range suitable for mild steel, as well as suitable brass, copper and bronze.

It is useful when a darker, more heavily aged appearance is required.

Brown Curator Antiquing Fluid

The Brown formulation produces a warm brown antique finish on suitable brass, copper and bronze.

Important: Brown Curator Antiquing Fluid is not suitable for spun brass items.

Bronze Curator Antiquing Fluid

The Bronze formulation is designed to produce a traditional bronze-toned aged appearance on suitable metal surfaces.

It can be particularly useful when restoring or refinishing decorative brass, copper and bronze components where a warmer antique finish is required.

Old English Brass Curator Antiquing Fluid

The Old English Brass formulation is designed to reproduce a traditional aged brass appearance and can be useful when matching existing period brasswork.

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Why use Curator Antiquing Fluid?

• Cold-patination treatment that works without heating the metal.
• Suitable for brass, copper and bronze.
• Black formulation is also suitable for mild steel.
• Available in four antique finishes.
• Creates an authentic aged appearance.
• Useful for matching existing period metalwork.
• Suitable for restoration and conservation work.
• Useful for furniture fittings and architectural hardware.
• Suitable for lighting fixtures and decorative metalwork.
• Can be diluted for greater colour control.
• Can be applied by immersion, brush or cotton cloth depending on the item.
• Available in sizes from 150ml to 5 litres.

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How to use Curator Antiquing Fluid

Good surface preparation is essential. Curator Antiquing Fluid will only react properly with clean, unfinished metal.

1. Remove any existing lacquer, paint or other metal finish using a suitable paint stripper.
2. Use a scotch bright pad or fine 0000 wire wool to create a fine key on the metal surface (None Oily Wire wool only).
3. Thoroughly remove grease, oil and fingerprints. For best results, use Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment.
4. Wash and wipe the metal clean and dry.
5. For smaller items, dilute the Curator Antiquing Fluid with water. A dilution of up to 1 part solution to 10 parts water can be used for controlled immersion treatment.
6. Immerse the item in the solution and agitate it to dislodge trapped air bubbles.
7. For larger items, apply the diluted solution with a brush or cotton cloth.
8. Watch the surface as the colour develops.
9. Once the desired colour has been achieved, rinse immediately with clean water to stop the reaction.
10. Dry the metal gently using warm air, such as a hair dryer on a low setting, or with a new clean cloth or towel.
11. Protect the finished surface using a suitable finishing wax, protective oil, Jade Oil or appropriate lacquer.

Do not skip the rinsing stage. If the treated metal is not rinsed properly, the reaction can continue after treatment and a powdery residue may develop on the surface.

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Achieving an even patina

The final appearance depends heavily on preparation, metal type, solution strength and treatment time. Taking time to prepare the surface properly will help produce a more even result.

For the best results:

• Remove all previous lacquer or coatings.
• Remove grease, oil and fingerprints.
• Use a scotch bright pad or none oily 0000 wire wool to provide a fine key.
• Use Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment before antiquing and rinse.
• Use a diluted solution when you need greater control over the colour.
• Agitate immersed items to prevent air bubbles creating bright spots.
• Monitor the colour throughout the treatment.
• Rinse immediately when the desired colour is reached.
• Dry thoroughly before applying a protective finish.

For larger objects, you can apply the solution evenly with a brush or cotton rag. Applying via a brush or rag can be difficult to create an even patina. The immersion in a diluted solution can help produce a more consistent colour across the entire surface.

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Applications and uses

Curator Antiquing Fluid is suitable for a wide range of restoration, fabrication and decorative metalwork projects.

• Antique brass furniture fittings
• Brass door handles and hardware
• Brass and copper architectural fittings
• Copper decorative objects
• Bronze fixtures and fittings
• Lighting fixtures and lamp bases
• Chandeliers and decorative lighting components
• Architectural metalwork
• Metal furniture components
• Restoration of period-style hardware
• New castings that need an aged appearance
• Props and decorative metalwork
• Bespoke metal fabrication

It is particularly useful when bright new metal needs to be made visually consistent with existing aged or antique metalwork.

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Important information

• Always test Curator Antiquing Fluid before treating the finished item. Different metals, alloys, surface conditions and preparation methods can produce different results.
• We strongly recommend purchasing the Curator Antiquing Fluid Trial Pack before buying larger quantities if you are unsure which finish is best for your project. The trial pack contains four 30ml samples in Black, Brown, Bronze and Old English Brass.
• Please note that this is a non-returnable/refundable product once purchased for use on a particular project, so testing first is particularly important when working with valuable or specialist metalwork.
• Only the Black formulation is suitable for mild steel.
• Brown Curator Antiquing Fluid is not suitable for spun brass items.
• Curator Antiquing Fluid must be applied to unfinished metal. Existing lacquer or other coatings should be removed before treatment.
• Always follow the Safety Data Sheet supplied for the particular Curator formulation you are using and use appropriate protective equipment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Curator Antiquing Fluid?

Curator Antiquing Fluid is a cold-patination treatment used to give suitable metal an aged or antique appearance. It is available in Black, Brown, Bronze and Old English Brass.

What metals can Curator Antiquing Fluid be used on?

The range is designed primarily for brass, copper and bronze. The Black formulation can also be used on mild steel.

Can Curator Antiquing Fluid be used on brass?

Yes. Suitable brass can be treated with the Curator range, although the correct finish should be selected for the particular project. Brown should not be used on spun brass.

Can Curator Antiquing Fluid be used on copper?

Yes. Curator Antiquing Fluid can be used to create aged and patinated finishes on suitable copper surfaces.

Can Curator Antiquing Fluid be used on bronze?

Yes. The Curator range can be used on suitable bronze to create darker and more aged decorative finishes.

Can Curator Antiquing Fluid be used on mild steel?

Only the Black formulation is suitable for mild steel. The Brown, Bronze and Old English Brass formulations should not be selected for mild steel.

Can I use Brown Curator Antiquing Fluid on spun brass?

No. Brown Curator Antiquing Fluid is specifically not suitable for spun brass items.

How do I prepare metal before using Curator Antiquing Fluid?

Remove any lacquer or existing finish, then thoroughly remove grease, oil and fingerprints. A scotch bright pad or none oily Fine 0000 wire wool can be used to create a fine key. For best results, use Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment before applying the antiquing fluid.

Can Curator Antiquing Fluid be diluted?

Yes. For immersion treatment, the solution can be diluted by mixing up to 1 part Curator Antiquing Fluid with 10 parts water. Dilution provides greater control over the speed and intensity of the colour change.

How do I apply Curator Antiquing Fluid to a large object?

For larger objects that cannot be immersed, apply the diluted solution using a brush or cotton rag and monitor the colour as the patina develops.

How do I apply Curator Antiquing Fluid to small objects?

Smaller objects can be immersed in a diluted solution. Agitate the items while immersed to help remove trapped air bubbles and produce a more consistent colour.

How quickly does Curator Antiquing Fluid work?

The solution reacts quickly with the metal surface, allowing the colour to develop visibly during treatment. The time required depends on the metal, preparation, dilution and desired finish.

What should I do when the desired colour is reached?

Rinse the treated metal immediately with clean water to stop the antiquing reaction. Dry it thoroughly and then apply a suitable protective finish.

What happens if I do not rinse the metal properly?

The antiquing reaction can continue after treatment if the solution is not rinsed away thoroughly. This can result in continued colour development and a powdery residue appearing on the surface.

How do I protect the finished patina?

Once the metal is completely dry, use a suitable finishing wax, protective oil, Jade Oil or appropriate lacquer to protect the finish.

Which Curator Antiquing Fluid should I choose?

Choose the finish according to the metal and the appearance you want to achieve. Black produces a dark grey/black appearance and is also suitable for mild steel; Brown produces a warm brown finish but is not suitable for spun brass; Bronze produces a bronze-toned appearance; and Old English Brass is intended to reproduce an aged brass appearance.

What if I am unsure which colour to choose?

We recommend trying the Curator Antiquing Fluid Trial Pack first. It contains 30ml samples of Black, Brown, Bronze and Old English Brass so you can test the finishes on your particular metal before purchasing a larger bottle.

Can I use Curator Antiquing Fluid over lacquer?

No. Curator Antiquing Fluid is intended for unfinished metal. Existing lacquer or other coatings must be removed before treatment.

Is Curator Antiquing Fluid suitable for restoration work?

Yes. It is designed for restoration, conservation, metal fabrication, lighting manufacture and decorative metalwork where an aged or period-style finish is required.

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Important: Always test on a spare piece or inconspicuous area before treating the finished item. Remove existing coatings before use, follow the instructions for the particular colour selected and use appropriate protective equipment. Always consult the relevant Safety Data Sheet before use.

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Safety Data Sheets:

CURATOR Antiquing Fluid – Black SAFETY DATA SHEET

CURATOR Antiquing Fluid – Brown SAFETY DATA SHEET

CURATOR Antiquing Fluid – Bronze SAFETY DATA SHEET

CURATOR Antiquing Fluid – OLD ENGLISH BRASS SAFETY DATA SHEET