Universal Patinas

Non-acid, non-reactive, UV-safe, slightly opaque and may be used on any type of metal. May be applied hot or cold.

Universal Patinas may be used on any type of metal as well as metal coatings. They are non-acid, non-reactive, and slightly opaque. Sculpt Nouveau’s Universal Patinas come in a wide range of colors, are UV safe, indoor or outdoor oxides. These patinas may be applied hot or cold to any metal including Iron and Steel.

The Universal Patinas bind on to the metal surface; they do not react. The color of these patinas will remain the same; they will not change as with an acid patina. The metal surface needs to be clean before application. As with all of our products these patinas may be used together with any of the other patinas and dye oxides. Universal Patinas can be used directly on any metal without causing rust, including iron, steel and aluminum. A protective clear coat is always necessary as a final step on these metals.

Colors:  Blue, Green, Yellow, Red, Brown, Black. Click here to see a complete Universal Patina color chart.

Traditional Patinas

Old-formula chemicals that react with the surface of metal to create colors and effects. Contains acids. Japanese Brown, Darkening, and Green Universal patinas work particularly well on iron and steel. May be applied hot or cold.

Traditional patinas are mixtures of chemicals that react with the surface of metal to create different colors. These are variations of old formulas that have been used for years but have been pre-mixed for your convenience. All of these patinas contain acids and will cause rust (orange color) on iron and steel. Not recommended for aluminum. Traditional patinas are for bronze, brass, copper, or over metal coatings, except for our Japanese brown.

Colors listed below, or click here to see Traditional Patina color chart.

Traditional greens and blues: use on bronze, brass, copper, or over metal coatings

• Patina Blue (best if used indoors)
• Light Green
• Tiffany Green

Traditional browns:

• Japanese Brown: For iron and steel – hot or cold patina. Also makes a transparent brown on bronze, brass and copper.
• Ferric Nitrate: For brass, bronze, copper – hot patina
• Ferric Nitrate/Ferric Chloride: For brass, bronze, copper, metal coatings – cold patina
• Darkening patina: Great for all metals
• Copper Sulfate

Liver of Sulfur: sometimes called “sulfurated potash” or “potash”, is a mixture of potassium sulfides which has traditionally been used to darken or “antique” silver and bronzes. This is usually called 'oxidizing' the surface ( though it has nothing to do with oxygen), when the sulfur reacts to the metal surface to produce grays and blacks. Add distilled water to make a transparent brown patina.

Vista Patinas

Acid patinas blended with oxide formulas to create a beautiful marbleizing of the Vista color chosen plus a rust or green patina depending on the metal to which it is applied. May only be applied cold. Not for aluminum.

The Vista Patina Series are patinas that contain acids as well as oxides. This patina was first designed to give a constant green patina color. We suggest using only one Vista Patina on the metal or metal coating. If you want additional colors, apply a Universal Patina, or Water based Dye Oxide over it. Sculpt Nouveau uses a strong green acid base and adds patina oxides to it.

When Vistas are used on bronze, brass, copper or metal coatings, a marbleized combination of green plus the Vista color will occur. When Vistas are used on iron or steel, a beautiful combination patina of rust plus the Vista color will occur. Vista patinas create a very chalky patina on iron and steel. When used on Iron or Steel the green acid base will cause beautiful rust plus the Vista Color.

Colors:   Blue, Green for brass, bronze + copper, green for iron + steel, yellow, red, brown, black

Click here to see Vista Patina color chart