How can i 'age' copper

[Lukey]

I recently 'liberated' some door handles from an old nurses home due for demolitian and, in order to get the muck off the circular door plates, I had to use wire wool. This has resulted in me getting very shiney copper plates which i need to artificially age.

Do any of you know how this can be done? A friend of mine suggested that I bury them in the garden for a couple of weeks but I don't fancy digging up the lawn

[steve r]

You could just leave them outside and they will oxidise fairly quickly.
Or if I remember my metalwork theory correctly, a mild acid such as vinegar or lemon juice will speed things up.

[mouldmaker]

I recently 'liberated' some door handles from an old nurses home due for demolitian and, in order to get the muck off the circular door plates, I had to use wire wool. This has resulted in me getting very shiney copper plates which i need to artificially age.

Do any of you know how this can be done? A friend of mine suggested that I bury them in the garden for a couple of weeks but I don't fancy digging up the lawn

Are you sure they're copper and not brass?

Either way, put them in a bucket with some horse-shit. If you want to accellerate the result, pee in the bucket. Will work for copper or brass, but brass will take longer.

[condor]

yoghurt is supposed to age terracotta pots

so you could always give that a go

[Ian B]

What colour would you like? Have a look at
http://www.coscosci.com/patinas/patinaformulas.htm

hth,

Ian