How to Paint a Bronze Patina

Patina, often identified by its green-ish color, accumulates on metals such as copper and bronze structures over a long period of time. This is how the Statue of Liberty obtained its green color. In many cases, patina forms on old antique furniture and firearms as a result of a slow chemical reaction to bronze. This can be an undesirable look for many collectors. Fortunately, you can restore the original bronze look by using a latex bronze paint.

Drop cloth
Light-grit sandpaper
Latex primer
Latex bronze paint
Soft-bristled paint brush

Instructions

- 1
  Place the bronze piece on a workspace designated for painting. Lay out a drop cloth around the bronze. Use some light-grit sandpaper to lightly sand the surface of your bronze structure.
- 2
  Apply a coat of latex primer to the surface of the bronze piece. Allow a few hours for the primer to dry. The dry time varies depending on your specific primer manufacturer. Refer to the label instructions for specific dry times.
- 3
  Use a soft-bristled paint brush to apply a coat of latex bronze paint. The latex paint should match the color of the original bronze glaze. Let the coat of paint dry completely, according to the label instructions.
- 4
  Use light-grit sandpaper to sound out any lumps in the paint after it has dried. Apply a second coat, let it dry and sand the paint again. Repeat this until you get the desired bronze look.

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