How to Add a Patina to Brass

Over time, brass metal will react with oxygen and oxidize. This oxidization produces an antiqued patina that some consumers find desirable. Sometimes the manufacturer artificially paints a surface patina onto the brass. Other times the oxidization process is sped up chemically. It is possible to chemically add a patina to brass objects at home. Try this process only on solid brass and not plated brass. This process will remove the thin plate of brass and will not get the aged look you are going for.

Lacquer thinner
Container
Cloths
Salt
Wire
Coffee can
Ammonia
Hair dryer

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a container with lacquer thinner. Use a container that is large enough for you to be able to immerse the entire piece of brass.
- 2
  Place the brass in the container so that the lacquer thinner is completely covering it. Let it soak overnight. This will remove any protecting coating that might be on the brass.
- 3
  Remove the brass and dry it with a clean cloth.
- 4
  Put water into another container. Add enough water so that you can immerse the brass. Keep track of the number of cups you use to fill the container. Add 2 tbsp. salt per cup of water you used.
- 5
  Poke a hole in the lid of a metal can. The brass object needs to fit into the metal can. Fill the metal can with ½ inch ammonia and close the lid.
- 6
  Bend a wire around or through the brass object and create a hook with the other end of the wire. Use a wire that is strong enough to hold the weight of the brass.
- 7
  Dip the brass completely into the salt water and remove it so that the salt water is coating it.
- 8
  Hang the brass over the ammonia solution and place the hook through the hole in the coffee can lid. Make sure the brass is not touching the ammonia and close the lid. The fumes from the ammonia will create the new patina.
- 9
  Turn a hairdryer onto high heat. Hold it over the sides of the can for 2 minutes. This will heat the ammonia to create ammonia fumes which will make the new patina. Dip the brass into the salt water and rehang it over the ammonia. Heat the can with the hairdryer for another 2 minutes. Repeat the process until the patina is dark enough, according to your taste.
- 10
  Rinse the brass with clear water and dry it completely.

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