10 – Copper finishing

Fresh copper is a bit bright, and over a fireplace will discolour in any case, even if lacquered. The choice here was to add patination with a blowtorch and some chemistry, then wash and paste wax to finish.

So the handles and fireplace header were cut, drilled as required, filed smooth, sanded (#320 and a purple buffing pad), and then patinated.

Useful info for this can be found here: The  Colouring Bronzing and Patination of Metals – an investment up front, but it pays back  over the long haul for metal work with varied effects and finishes…

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