Page 331 - CATALOG

What happens if the product freezes? Why can't I use Acetone?
Nothing, just let the product thaw and mix well. Acetone changed their formula for the EPA and since then, it
leaves a residue behind that interferes with adhesion. This is true
What is the shelf life of the products? for clear coats, coatings and patinas.
For the most part, there is no shelf life. Japanese Brown has a shelf
life of one year if left unopened. Some other products such as the How long should I leave my patina on before rinsing it?
Metal Oil and Clear Coats (Matte) have to be stirred well because The only patinas that need to be rinsed are the Birchwood and
the ingredients settle. Traditional lines. Hot applied patinas, Traditional Green Patinas,
and Traditional Blue Patinas do not get rinsed, such as Ferric
What is the coverage per product? Nitrate, Tiffany Green, and Original Blue. For all other Birchwood
Traditional Patinas cover approximately 200 sq. ft per gallon, and Traditional Patinas, typical reaction time is 3-5 minutes before
except for the black patinas. They may only give 130 sq. ft. per rinsing. That being said, the important thing to rmember is to not
gallon because they have to be reapplied to achieve a deep let it dry on the surface unless the patina is meant to be applied
coloration. that way, such as Light Green or Powder Blue.
Birchwood Casey Patinas will usually give double this coverage
because they work better if they are diluted up to 50% with My clear coat is foggy, my clear coat is milky, my
distilled water. clear coat is not adhering right, there is further
oxidation under my clear coat?
Clear Coats coverage is 250 sq. ft. per gallon for one coat. For the All of these are common problems when moisture is trapped
recommended 2 coats, the coverage will be 125 sq. ft.
under the clear coat. This can happen after rinsing a Traditional
Patina Stains will cover 200 sq. ft. per gallon undiluted. Since Patina or on humid days. A good practice to implement is to warm
they are usually diluted, the square footage will depend on the the metal with a torch or heat gun prior to clear coating. This
dilution rate. will remove the excess moisture. When the metal cools to room
Waxes and Oil will cover approximately 400 sq. ft. per gallon. temperature you can clear coat it. Another cause could be if the
patina was not neutralized as well as it needed to be. Say you are
What is cold patina? doing Black Magic on steel, as the patina reacts, it creates a film on
A process of applying patina chemical solutions directly to the the surface. This film needs to be removed with a microfiber towel
unheated surface of the metal. “Cold Patina” is a term used for or sponge.
applying patinas without heating the metal. The best room or
air temperature for these patinas is between 65° and 75° F. Often How do I get a more uniform finish with a Traditional
they involve cycles of applications involving layers of patina. The or Birchwood patina?
three basic techniques of applying the patina are to use a brush, Either sandblast the metal prior to patination or you can use a
sponge, or spray bottle. There are also some very interesting scotch brite pad on the surface while the patina is reacting to the
ancient techniques where the metal object is buried in substances metal. The first coat will be light, but subsequent coats will come
soaked with the patina or wrapped in cloth soaked with a patina. in darker and more uniform.
A characteristic of most cold patinas is that they are opaque.
My Ever Clear sheen didn’t come out correctly, what
What is hot patina? happened?
This is the most widely used technique. The surface of the metal Ever Clear requires a mechanical mixing to correctly suspend the
is heated with a torch to open its pores, usually to around 200° F. matting agent. This occurrence can happen if you only mix with
The patina chemical solutions are then applied with a brush or by a stir stick. Paddle mixers can be used on a drill to mix Ever Clear
spraying. As the metal cools, the patina is locked in. An easy test correctly. PAINT & PATINAS
for the correct temperature is to sprinkle a few drops of distilled
water from a spray bottle onto the hot metal surface. If the water How do I get the “oil rubbed bronze” look on steel?
sizzles it is the correct temperature. If the water runs off, the metal The steel can be darkened first with Black Magic or PC9, then a
is too cold. If the water balls up, it is too hot. A characteristic of brown and yellow Patina Stain applied over the top. Then sealed
some hot patinas is that they are transparent. There are three ways with Ever Clear.
the metal may be heated: 1) The most common method is using a A nice dark brown is formed by heating the metal first to 180°F to
propane torch with a 5-gallon propane bottle or using a torch with 220°F and applying Japanese Brown, then sealing it with Ever Clear.
a gas/air mix used with an air compressor; 2) Using a hair dryer or
a paint peeler; 3) Placing the object in the sun or oven. Here are some videos:
How should I clean my metal? The leaf video shows mainly yellow and brown,
Sculpt Nouveau Metal Cleaner is the best cleaner to use for but it would look more like the dark oil rubbed
degreasing purposes. Other than that, you can use Dawn dish bronze if there is a black base first.
soap, isopropyl alcohol, or denatured alcohol. Do not use acetone. The aluminum video shows the blackening
As for abrading the surface, sandblasting is best for reaction and process, Patina Stain and Yellow Dye-Oxide process.
adhesion, followed by orbital sanding, and then scuffing with a The same process will be used on steel, except
scotch brite pad. The abrading method you choose can cause instead of using A-14, either Black Magic or
a traditional patina or clear finish to show characteristics of the PC9 would be used to blacken the steel.
method, such as scuff marks.

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