Patina Substitute?

[GaryR52]

I've recently come across a product called Baroque Art Gilders Paste (www.gilderspaste.com), or just Gilders Paste, for short. It's a coloring paste that comes in 28 colors, is pretty cheap, fast and easy to use, apparently non-toxic (your can apply it with your fingers) and it can be used on a number of materials, including metals, hence my interest in using it as a patina substitute for bronze castings. You just brush or rub it on, allow it to dry (about 12 hours), then seal it (they recommend Krylon clear acrylic spray lacquer) and it stands up to indoor and outdoor use. Sounds a lot better than expensive and hazardous patina chemicals. A large supply is only $14 and that will cover 100 square feet of surface area. You can also mix colors to create your own unique colors and you can mix them right on the metal surface you're coloring, as you apply it. Has anyone used this product and, if so, how did it work out?

Gary

[warren01]

Gary, this is the first time that I have heard of the product. Might be all right for some interior pieces. Kind of sounds like more of a paste type paint and if you wanted painted metal I guess this could be a product. Patinas give more depth to the metal. They do not have to be all harsh chemicals. It would surprise you what your urine can do to metals. :cool:

warren

[GaryR52]

Well, I can't find anything that suggests it becomes a part of the metal, as a patina does, but I believe it would be wrong to characterize it as a paint, either. It is also quite durable for outdoor applications, as I said.

LOL. Yep, that or pickle juice. ;)

In pricing ingredients to make my own patinas with, I'm appalled at the cost of even minute quantities of some of these chemicals, not to mention their considerable health hazards. That's why I went in search of an alternative and I believe Gilders Paste is it. Anyway, we'll know for sure when I try the stuff.

Gary

[Snakescales]

Never heard of it myself, although not as durable as a real patina, you could consider using some paint techniques. Normally most people see this as a big no-no but Mexico has quite a history of using false patinas with estufado techniques. My mentor taught me how to do this using some acrylic paints, you can add matte medium to them and then coat the entire piece with a clear if you want it to stick.

-A

[Baraka]

Gary, did you ever try this product? I went to the website and it looked pretty interesting. I noticed that they used it on an ornate metal gate, so it must be pretty durable.

[PTsideshow]

This thread ended in 2005, so I will jump in case they aren't around. It is a wax based coating product to add pigment to an item. Think wax type shoe polish on steroids. Whether it is inside or outside it does need to sealed. As with all things from humidity, UV rays and the stuff that falls out of the air. On other forums people have had good results with permalc or other industry heavy duty clear coatings.
If the item is subject to heavy use or handling it will show wear off patterns and may need reapplications in the future.
I have not used this brand, but others of the same type do give good color mixing and effect results.
A good idea is to test the clear you are going to use over it to see if it will have a solvent actions on the paste or color pigment.
:D