Old English Brass Metal Antiquing Patination Fluid

Description

Old English Brass Metal Antiquing Patination Fluid is a specialist cold patination treatment for ageing new, bright or freshly cleaned metal to create a traditional antique brass appearance.

Designed for use on brass, copper and bronze, the fluid reacts with the prepared metal surface to develop an aged finish. It is particularly useful when restoring antique furniture fittings, matching replacement components to existing period metalwork or giving new decorative metalwork a more traditional appearance.

The colour develops quickly, allowing the finish to be monitored during application. The treatment can be diluted with water to give greater control over the depth and consistency of the resulting patina.

• Benefits
• Suitable Metals
• Uses & Applications
• Preparing the Metal
• How to Use
• Immersion Method
• Direct Application
• Finishing & Protecting the Patina
• Achieving an Even Finish
• FAQs
• Please Note
• Health & Safety
• Safety Data Sheet

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Benefits of Old English Brass Antiquing Fluid

• Creates a traditional aged brass appearance.
• Suitable for brass, copper and bronze.
• Cold patination process – no heating is required.
• Suitable for antique restoration and decorative metal finishing.
• Can be diluted for greater colour control.
• Suitable for immersion treatment of smaller components.
• Can be applied by brush or cotton wool to larger items.
• Useful for matching new fittings to existing aged metalwork.
• Fast colour development makes the finish easy to monitor.

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Suitable Metals

Brass

Old English Brass Antiquing Fluid is particularly suited to brass, helping to transform bright or newly polished brass into a more aged, traditional finish.

Copper

The fluid can also be used on suitable copper surfaces where an aged decorative appearance is required.

Bronze

Suitable bronze surfaces can be treated to develop an older, more naturally patinated appearance.

Always test first, as the final colour will vary depending on the metal alloy, surface condition and preparation.

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Uses & Applications

Old English Brass Metal Antiquing Patination Fluid is ideal for a range of restoration and decorative metal-finishing applications, including:

• Antique brass furniture fittings
• Brass handles, escutcheons and hardware
• Clock and decorative metal components
• Antique furniture restoration
• Restoration of period metalwork
• Matching replacement brass fittings to existing aged fittings
• Decorative brass and copper objects
• Lighting components and fittings
• Architectural metalwork
• Metal fabrication requiring an aged brass appearance

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Preparing the Metal

Good surface preparation is essential when using a metal antiquing treatment. The surface must be free from lacquer, grease, oil, fingerprints and other contamination for the patination fluid to react evenly with the metal.

Remove any existing lacquer or other surface coating before treatment. Fine 0000 wire wool can be used to provide a fine key to the metal where appropriate.

For best results, use Curator Cold Patination Pre-Treatment before antiquing. This acidic degreasing treatment helps remove grease, oil and fingerprints from suitable ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

Once prepared, wipe the surface clean and allow it to dry before applying the antiquing fluid.

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How to Use Old English Brass Antiquing Fluid

1. Remove all previous lacquer or other surface coatings.
2. Prepare the metal using fine 0000 wire wool where appropriate.
3. Thoroughly remove grease, oil and fingerprints from the surface.
4. Ensure the metal is properly prepared before applying the fluid.
5. For smaller items, dilute the fluid with approximately 10 parts water and immerse the item.
6. Agitate the item during immersion to help prevent air bubbles causing bright spots.
7. For larger items, apply the diluted fluid directly using cotton wool or a suitable brush.
8. Watch the surface as the colour develops.
9. As soon as the desired colour is achieved, rinse immediately with clean water.
10. Pat the surface dry with clean paper towel or a suitable clean cloth.
11. Once completely dry, seal the finished metal with a suitable wax, oil or lacquer.

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Immersion Method

Immersion is particularly useful for smaller brass, copper or bronze components where an even overall colour is required.

Dilute the Old English Brass Antiquing Fluid with approximately 10 parts water and immerse the prepared item. Gently agitate the item while it is submerged to dislodge air bubbles, which can otherwise leave small bright spots on the surface.

Monitor the colour continuously. Once the desired antique brass appearance has been achieved, remove the item and rinse immediately with clean water to stop the patination reaction.

Pat dry thoroughly before applying any protective finish.

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Direct Application

For larger objects or individual areas requiring more control, apply the diluted solution directly using cotton wool or a suitable brush.

The colour will develop quickly, so work carefully and monitor the surface throughout the application. This method can be useful when matching an existing aged finish or treating an item that is too large to immerse.

Rinse the surface immediately once the desired colour has been reached.

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Finishing & Protecting the Patina

After treatment, thoroughly rinse the metal to stop the patination process and remove any remaining solution. Dry the item completely before applying a protective finish.

The finished surface can be sealed using a suitable finishing wax, protective oil or appropriate metal lacquer.

For suitable metal restoration applications, Curator Protective Oil can be used to help protect patinated metal from moisture, oxidation and handling.

Priory Polishes Jade Oil is another suitable protective option for appropriate interior metal surfaces.

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Achieving an Even Finish

The final appearance depends on the type and condition of the metal, the preparation of the surface, the dilution used and the length of time the fluid is allowed to react.

For the most consistent results, ensure the entire surface is thoroughly clean and free from grease and fingerprints before treatment.

Always carry out a test on a spare piece or inconspicuous area first. This allows you to establish the reaction time and resulting colour before treating the complete item.

If you are unsure which Curator Antiquing Fluid colour is most suitable for your project, consider the Curator Antiquing Fluid Trial Pack, which contains samples of Black, Brown, Bronze and Old English Brass.

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FAQs

What is Old English Brass Antiquing Fluid?

It is a cold patination treatment designed to age new or bright brass, copper and bronze and give the metal a traditional antique appearance.

What metals can Old English Brass Antiquing Fluid be used on?

The Old English Brass formulation is intended for suitable brass, copper and bronze surfaces.

Does Old English Brass Antiquing Fluid work on steel?

No. The Curator Black formulation is the version specified for use on mild steel as well as brass, copper and bronze. Old English Brass is intended for brass, copper and bronze.

Does the product need to be heated?

No. It is a cold patination treatment and does not require the metal to be heated.

How should I prepare brass before antiquing?

Remove any existing lacquer or coating and thoroughly clean the surface to remove grease, oil and fingerprints. Fine 0000 wire wool can be used where appropriate to provide a fine key to the metal.

How do I dilute Old English Brass Antiquing Fluid?

For immersion treatment, dilute approximately 1 part antiquing fluid to 10 parts water. Dilution provides greater control over the colour and can help produce a more consistent finish.

Can I apply it directly to a large item?

Yes. For larger items, apply the diluted solution directly using cotton wool or a suitable brush and monitor the colour as it develops.

How quickly does the colour develop?

The surface can change colour quickly, so it should be monitored throughout the treatment. Rinse immediately with clean water once the desired colour has been achieved.

Can I use it to match new brass fittings to antique fittings?

Yes. This is one of the main applications for Curator Antiquing Fluid. It can be used to age new or bright brass so that replacement components blend more naturally with existing aged metalwork.

How do I protect the finished antique brass finish?

Once the item has been rinsed and thoroughly dried, the patina can be sealed with a suitable finishing wax, protective oil or appropriate lacquer.

Should I test the product before use?

Yes. Always test on a spare piece or inconspicuous area first to check compatibility, colour and the final result.

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Please Note

Old English Brass Antiquing Fluid is a specialist chemical patination treatment. The final colour can vary according to the metal alloy, surface preparation, dilution and treatment time.

The metal must be properly prepared and free from lacquer, grease, oil and fingerprints before treatment. Existing coatings can prevent the fluid from reacting correctly with the metal.

We strongly recommend testing the product before treating an important, valuable or irreplaceable item. If you are unsure which Curator finish is most appropriate, the Curator Antiquing Fluid Trial Pack provides a convenient way to compare the available finishes.

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Health & Safety

Old English Brass Antiquing Fluid contains hydrochloric acid and must be handled as a corrosive chemical. Wear suitable protective gloves, eye protection and protective clothing when handling the product.

Work in a well-ventilated area and avoid contact with the skin and eyes. Do not breathe vapours or mist. Keep the product away from children and store securely when not in use.

Always read the product label and Safety Data Sheet before use and follow the recommended precautions. Do not mix the product with other chemicals unless specifically instructed.

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Safety Data Sheet

CURATOR Antiquing Fluid – OLD ENGLISH BRASS SAFETY DATA SHEET