In a message dated 5/20/99 3:21:48 PM Pacific Daylight Time, rockymtn@sprynet.com writes: << I have a neighbor who is going crazy trying to find . . . are you ready for this .. . . Verdigris! She has an old fashioned metal lamp post for her front yard. She wants it to look like it has verdigris. She's exhausted the hardware and home store and craft store circuit . . . . >> Glen, What kind of metal is the lamppost made of? If it's steel, paint works great! LOL! All seriousness aside, Here's a quick "How to" on coloring metals from "The Complete Metalsmith" by Tim McCreight: METALS Brass Variegated green film: #3, 6 Flat pale green: #5 Deep blue to purple to gray: #7 Bronze Variegated green film: #3, 6 Scarlet to blue to brown to gray: #2, 7 Rich brown to blue: #4 Dark gray: #5 Copper Deep purple to blue to brown to black: #1 Brilliant scarlet to blue to violet: #2, 7 Green film: # 6 Rich brown to blue: #4 Flat sea green: #5 Rich blue to purple to gray: #7 SOLUTIONS #1 Dissolve a small amount of Liver of Sulfur in warm water. A pea-sized piece to a cup of water is usual. A trace amount of ammonia added to the solution will brighten the colors. If the solution is too strong, the resulting sulfide layer is brittle and will be easily chipped off. The solution may be warmed, but do not boil. Solution may be brushed on, or work may be immersed. The dip-rinse-brush method is recommended to slowly create a wide range of colors. #2 Dissolve a pinch of Barium Sulfide in a cup of water. Brush or immerse in solution. #3 1 part Ammonium Chloride 6 parts Copper Sulfate 60 parts water Dissolve all ingredients together. Apply solution to metal and allow it to dry. Repeat several layers, allowing each to dry. Scratch brushing will alter the colors. #4 1 part Lead Acetate 1 part Acetic Acid 2 parts Sodium Thiosulfate 6 parts water Dissolve all ingredients together. Apply solution to metal and allow it to dry. Repeat several layers, allowing each to dry. Scratch brushing will alter the colors. #5 1 part Zinc Chloride 2 parts Acetic Acid 4 parts Ammonium Chloride 4 parts Table Salt 8 parts Copper Sulfate 60 parts water Dissolve all ingredients together. Brush on or immerse. #6 Under a box, set a bowl of water and a second bowl of VERY DILUTED Hydrochloric Acid or undiluted vinegar. Drop bits of chalk into the acid or vinegar. Suspend work in the resultant Calcium Carbonate environment. This method can take several days to produce a color. #7 Birchwood Casey Gun Blue. This commercial preparation is available at most sporting goods stores or write: Birchwood Casey Co. Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Use solution full strength by brushing onto or immersing work. Hope this is more than you wanted! Have fun! Brian De Tar, RPT Portland, OR BDeTar@aol.com NO OBSTACLES... ONLY OPPORTUNITIES!
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