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Targeted Patiina

by Judy Larson
Patina can add beautiful dimension to textured jewelry pieces. The piece would be pretty without it, but with it, WOW!

However, there are times when covering the entire piece with patina, such as a dip in liver of sulfur will do, is not the desired look. What can be done?
Instructions
An area left without patina can be masked off, but patina can leak under masking on textured pieces. There are times when masking or sealing the area is impractical or not possible.

Enter Midas Black Max patina. Since this patina contains hydrochloric acid, gloves and eye protection MUST be worn when using it in a well-ventilated area. All the precautions and how to use directions on the container MUST be followed.
All that said, this product is easy to use. I did not want to pour the solution into a container where pieces would be immersed because I could see splashing myself or tipping the container over. The plastic refillable watercolor pens are a perfect solution! An eye dropper was used to fill the brush tube.
Judy Larson's Targeted Patiina - , General Education, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, sanding, filing, polishing, refillable watercolor pens
The brush has become discolored since the tube was filled, and there are little black specks in the bottom, but the patina still works like a charm.

Very little liquid is used when brushing the solution onto metal, which immediately turns black. Since I don't use this to patina everything, there is still a lot of liquid left after I filled the tube five years ago.
Judy Larson's Targeted Patiina - , General Education, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, sanding, filing, polishing, patina in a refillable pen
Judy Larson's Targeted Patiina - , General Education, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, sanding, filing, polishing, watercolor refillable brush
To prevent it from leaking, I store my pen upright with pens, pencils, markers, scratch awls, etc., on my desktop. That way I won't forget about it since the original container is stored along with other similar chemicals in a cool, dry place where children and pets can't get to it.
Judy Larson's Targeted Patiina - , General Education, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, sanding, filing, polishing, patina in specific places
How to use Black Max
Cover the work surface with two layers if you care that the work surface becomes stained or one layer if you don't care.

Don plastic gloves, eye protection, and breathing protection if the area is not WELL ventilated.

To be extra careful, be close to where you can flush the eyes out with water. What is great about the pen, though, is that the solution is contained and can't splash.
In this project, the goal was to avoid patinating the snap sets to obtain as much sparkle to the CZ's as possible, which would not be possible with liver of sulfur.

Black Max in a water coloring brush pen is easy to use to blacken the surface of the metal. Allow the Black Max to dry.

Since an acid was used, it is best to neutralize it by dipping the pieces in a baking soda water solution and immediately rinsing them. Leaving them in for any length of time will remove much of the blackening.
Judy Larson's Targeted Patiina - How to use Black Max, General Education, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, sanding, filing, polishing, patinating specific areas
Use fine sanding pads to remove the patina from the raised areas to highlight the design and texture of the pieces.
Set the CZ's in the snap sets. The brightness of the polished white silver will add extra sparkle to the CZ's.
Judy Larson's Targeted Patiina - , General Education, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, sanding, filing, polishing, sanding pads take off patina
Judy Larson's Targeted Patiina - , General Education, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, sanding, filing, polishing, patinated pendants

Materials

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Tools

SANDING SPONGES ASST- 5PC- 1EA GRIT 100-400
ABR-600.90
  • ABR-600.90
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.95
  • Gold Club Price: $7.46
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WireJewelry Ultra Pro Micro Abrasive Polishing Pads, 20 pack
G9-5-20PK
  • G9-5-20PK
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.95
  • Gold Club Price: $6.71
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  • Category: General Education
  • Technique(s): Oxidizing / Antiquing, Finishing

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