Faux Verdigris

Make Your Own Patina

Verdigris is the pale green color that some metal pieces change to with age and weathering.  Copper and brass are most often the types of metal that gets verdigris, but here's a way to make wooden items look aged too.

Wooden items such as boxes, panels and picture or mirror frames look aged and vintage with this treatment.  It doesn't need to be a full sized statue or the roof of the legislature building. Start  small. Then go up in size.

Although the tutorial on page 98 in the book I found (Simple Handmade Storage: 23 Step-By-Step Weekend Projects) uses a flat piece of wood, I would love to try this with something carved or molded, just to see what happens.

The wooden box is constructed from marine plywood so you can use it outdoors, but you could use anything to make it. 

Then the top of the lid, where this magical technique is used, is painted with exterior varnish.  Before it dries, they sprinkle copper powder on it.  Then let it dry completely.

Blow off the excess powder, then spray it all unevenly with patinating liquid, or paint on the gel if using that.

Follow the instructions on the package to get the right time to leave it on. The fluid reacts with the copper, and produces the verdigris effect.

Let it dry, then cover the entire thing with another coat of the exterior varnish.

Here's a list of the supplies you'll need for this project - use this technique on the box or wooden object of your choice;

Rust-Oleum Varathane 9341H 1-Quart Classic Clear Oil Based Outdoor Spar Urethane, Satin Finish

Copper Powder 100g (Atomized Metal)

Liver of Sulfur Patina Gel - 2 oz

Another idea I've seen using a similar technique is to make a lamp out of a vase, making it look extremely tarnished and patina'd.

This makes a simple decor statement blow all other common or garden lamp bases out of the water.