Can patina be removed?

[Lady Helen]

To date I have never used any type of patina, mainly because I prefer silver.
I do have a bottle of black patina and I am wondering if I use
it on the interlocking star that I just made could it be removed
if I don't like it?

Can black patina stain an enamel sink?

I copied a tutorial of how to apply patina,
if you have any tips to share that would be wonderful!

[JoanFrances]

Lady Helen, I have used steel wool to remove patina.  I haven't had any issues with staining my kitchen sink when I use it to wash my pieces off after applying the patina. 

We'll see what others have to say on the subject

[Wayne]

I remove all or sections of the patina if it doesn't look right.  I normally use bronze wool (preferred) but will use 0000 steel wool in a pinch.  It comes off in a snap.

I usually never have things which fit in a sink.  I always apply the patina on the work bench.  I use an old shop towel on the table to collect the excess running off and use another towel to absorb the surface patina to keep the mess down before cleaning.

w

[JoanFrances]

I remove all or sections of the patina if it doesn't look right.  I normally use bronze wool (preferred) but will use 0000 steel wool in a pinch.  It comes off in a snap.

w

Wayne where do you find bronze wool?  I have never seen it I don't think

[Wayne]

Retail:  you can find it in boat supply houses since it is used a lot with teak.
Also, http://www.glasscrafters.biz  #9411

Bronze wool

[Malinda]

i've never had a problem with it staining the sink and I've never tried to remove it either because I figure the project when backlit looks like the solder lines are black anyway so you are only really getting used to seeing it unlit with silver lines. know what i mean.....

[Glassic]

I patinate in plant pot trays or a kitty litter tray. I hate steel wool but do use it sometimes and have some industrial Scotchbrite that does pretty well. I think I got bronze at WC or Traceys a long time ago, but it is long gone, more like lost!  My old laundry sink was already etched so the patina stains didnt really make it any worse but I sure wouldnt use patina in a good sink.

[Amber]

I use fine steel wool to take it off if I don't like it as well, never had any issues with staining either when I rinse work in the tub although I've never applied patina IN the sink usually just on old news print :). Have fun!

[Wayne]

One huge disadvantage of steel wool is how all those little pieces found everywhere on the object seem to rust! 
Bronze wool doesn't rust and is pretty soft.

On the side.....there are some copper patinas which can be applied using the bronze wool.  You set the wool with the copper patina and lightly buff the solder.  The wool removes any oxidation on the surface of the solder which causes you to have different colors of copper.  As it cleans the metal it adds the copper look.  Not all copper patinas will work this way and you can tell in a couple minutes if it doesn't work.

I use Jax Copper Plating (before applying Jax Brown) and the wool will not work but rubbing the solder lines with latex covered fingers saves a lot of time getting the copper to show up.

w

[Glassic]

It works that way with the Scotchbrite and Nova, I've always bathed my stuff in trays and used Scotchbrite. ... after the bronze went awol, I think hubby perloined it when he was boatbuilding!

[Alan]

Those Mr. Clean Magic Erasers will also clean off the patina or the solder before applying the patina - no metal filings of any kind to worry about.
http://www.mrclean.com/en_US/magic-eraser.do

[Amber]

Those Mr. Clean Magic Erasers will also clean off the patina or the solder before applying the patina - no metal filings of any kind to worry about.
http://www.mrclean.com/en_US/magic-eraser.do

Wow, what can't those little things do *lol!?!?

[nansea121]

I have a large enamel sink at home and never had a problem with the patina staining the surface.

[Lady Helen]

Thanks for all your input.
As always lots of useful tips.
I just love this forum.

[Audrey]

The Magic eraser works well and no little pieces of steel wool to deal with.

[PiscesGlass]

I have a large enamel sink at home and never had a problem with the patina staining the surface.

I do too, it's very old of course and stained by many other things..but I don't think that patina has stained it. I usually patina on newspaper on my work surface..and then wash the piece in my sink in a Dawn/Ammonia mixture..have not had a problem with staining.

For the most part I've used steel wool to remove patina..and if it didn't get it all or I didn't like the look of the piece afterward..you can always solder over it.  But I will try the magic eraser idea and perhaps get myself some bronze wool to give that a try.

As far as applying it..if it's a very small item I use cotton swabs, I've used toothbrushes, the type of brush you'd use to apply flux..and when all else fails..or it's a really large piece..I'll pour it on and swab it around with a small rag! 

De

Good thread!