Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment

Description

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Why use a metal pre-treatment?

Metal needs to be thoroughly clean before applying an antiquing or patination treatment. Grease, oil and fingerprints can act as a barrier between the metal and the treatment solution.

Using a dedicated metal pre-treatment helps provide a clean, consistent surface ready for the next stage of the restoration or finishing process.

• Removes grease and oil from metal surfaces.
• Removes fingerprints and other surface contaminants.
• Prepares metal before antiquing and patination.
• Helps prevent patchy or uneven colour development.
• Improves the consistency of subsequent finishes.
• Suitable for ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
• Useful before polishing, painting and protective coating.
• Ideal for restoration, conservation and metalworking.
• Designed for use with Curator Antiquing Fluids and other metal treatments.
• Available in 150ml, 500ml, 1 litre and 5 litre sizes.

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How to use Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment

Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment is applied directly to the metal surface before the next treatment.

1. Wear acid-resistant gloves and suitable eye protection.
2. Apply the Pre-Treatment to a soft cloth or cotton wool.
3. Thoroughly rub the solution over the metal surface, ensuring that grease, oil and fingerprints are removed.
4. For steel or iron, wipe the surface dry using a clean cotton cloth.
5. For other metals, rinse thoroughly with cold water.
6. Allow the metal to dry completely.
7. Do not touch the prepared surface once it has been cleaned, as fingerprints can affect subsequent antiquing or patination.
8. Always test the complete process on an inconspicuous area before treating the finished item.

The metal should be completely clean and dry before applying an antiquing fluid, patination treatment, paint or protective coating.

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Preparing metal before antiquing

Good preparation is one of the most important stages when creating an antique metal finish. Curator Antiquing Fluid react with the surface of the metal, so contaminants can interfere with the reaction.

For the best results, remove any existing lacquer, paint, wax or other surface coating before using the Pre-Treatment. The metal should then be thoroughly degreased.

Once the surface has been treated, avoid touching it with bare hands. Fingerprints contain oils that can leave visible marks when an antiquing fluid is subsequently applied.

Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment is particularly useful before using Curator Black, Brown, Bronze or Old English Brass Antiquing Fluid.

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Preparing metal for patination

Patination products rely on a clean metal surface to produce a consistent chemical reaction. Any grease, oil or other contamination can result in areas where the patina develops differently from the surrounding metal.

Using Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment before patination helps provide a clean surface and can make it easier to achieve an even and predictable finish.

This is particularly useful when working on decorative metalwork, furniture fittings, lighting components, architectural hardware and restoration projects where consistency of colour is important.

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What metals can it be used on?

Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment is suitable for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

Depending on the particular restoration or finishing process, this can include metals such as:

• Steel
• Iron
• Brass
• Copper
• Bronze
• Other suitable ferrous metals
• Other suitable non-ferrous metals

Always test the complete process on a small or inconspicuous area first, particularly when working with an unusual alloy, antique metalwork or a valuable item.

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Achieving an even patina

If you are using an antiquing or patination solution, preparation can make a significant difference to the final result.

For a more even finish:

• Remove existing lacquer and other coatings.
• Remove all grease and oil.
• Clean away fingerprints and handling marks.
• Apply the Pre-Treatment evenly across the entire surface.
• Rinse or wipe the metal as appropriate for the metal being treated.
• Allow the surface to dry thoroughly.
• Do not touch the prepared metal with bare hands.
• Apply the antiquing or patination treatment as soon as practical after preparation.
• Test the complete process before treating the finished item.

Taking these steps helps reduce the risk of fingerprints, greasy areas or other contamination producing unwanted variations in the finished patina.

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Important information

• Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment is an acidic product. Wear acid-resistant gloves and appropriate eye protection when handling it.
• Always follow the safety information supplied with the product and consult the relevant Safety Data Sheet before use.
• Do not allow the product to come into contact with skin or eyes. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with plenty of water and seek appropriate medical advice if necessary.
• Different metals and alloys can react differently to acidic treatments. Always test on an inconspicuous area first to check compatibility and the final result.
• When preparing steel or iron, wipe the surface dry with a clean cotton cloth after treatment. Other metals can be rinsed with cold water as directed.
• Once the surface has been prepared, do not touch it with bare hands. Even small amounts of grease from fingerprints can affect the subsequent antiquing or patination process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment?

It is a professional acidic degreasing solution used to prepare ferrous and non-ferrous metals before antiquing, patination, polishing, painting or protective coating.

What is Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment used for?

It is primarily used to remove grease, oil, fingerprints and surface contaminants from metal before applying an antiquing or patination treatment. It can also be used before polishing, painting and applying protective coatings.

Why should I use a pre-treatment before antiquing metal?

Grease, oil and fingerprints can interfere with the reaction between an antiquing fluid and the metal. Thorough preparation helps produce a cleaner and more consistent surface and reduces the risk of patchy colour development.

Can I use it before Curator Antiquing Fluid?

Yes. Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment is specifically designed to prepare metal before using Curator Antiquing Fluids and other metal treatments.

Can I use it on steel and iron?

Yes. The Pre-Treatment is suitable for ferrous metals including steel and iron. After treatment, steel or iron should be wiped dry with a clean cotton cloth.

Can I use it on brass and copper?

Yes. It can be used to prepare suitable non-ferrous metals such as brass and copper before subsequent antiquing, patination or finishing treatments.

Do I need to remove lacquer before using the Pre-Treatment?

Yes. Existing lacquer, paint, wax or other coatings should be removed before attempting to antiquing or patinate the underlying metal. The treatment needs access to the metal surface.

How do I apply Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment?

Wear acid-resistant gloves and eye protection, then apply the Pre-Treatment to a soft cloth or cotton wool and rub it over the metal surface. Steel and iron should be wiped dry, while other suitable metals can be rinsed with cold water.

Do I need to rinse the Pre-Treatment off?

Steel and iron should be wiped dry with a cotton cloth. Other metals can be rinsed with cold water as directed in the product instructions. Always allow the metal to dry thoroughly before continuing with the next stage.

Can I touch the metal after using the Pre-Treatment?

No. Avoid touching the prepared surface with bare hands. Fingerprints and skin oils can affect the subsequent antiquing or patination process and may result in visible marks.

Will the Pre-Treatment remove rust?

The primary purpose of the product is to remove grease, oil, fingerprints and surface contaminants rather than to act as a dedicated rust remover. Rust removal should be carried out separately where required.

Can I use it before painting metal?

Yes. Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment is designed to prepare metal before painting as well as before antiquing, polishing and applying protective coatings.

Can I use it before polishing metal?

Yes. The Pre-Treatment can be used to remove surface contaminants before polishing or other metal finishing processes.

What sizes is Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment available in?

It is available in 150ml, 500ml, 1 litre and 5 litre sizes.

Do I need to use Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment with Curator Antiquing Fluid?

It is not necessarily required for every application, but thorough preparation is strongly recommended when a consistent professional finish is important. The Pre-Treatment provides a dedicated way to remove grease, oil and fingerprints before applying Curator Antiquing Fluid.

Can I use the Pre-Treatment on an antique item?

It can be useful in restoration work, but antique and valuable items require particular care. Always test first on an inconspicuous area and make sure the treatment is appropriate for the particular metal, finish and condition of the object.

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Important: Always test before use. Wear acid-resistant gloves and eye protection, follow the product safety instructions and make sure the prepared metal is completely dry before applying the next treatment.