How To Make Sheet Metal Look Like Copper

The look of copper can be simulated with other metals by using a technique known as a patina.

How to make sheet metal look like copper.

Place the sheet on a clean flat smooth steel block. Hot patinas are applied to metals using a propane torch. Aluminum bronze and iron are excellent metals on which to use a patina. Wipe away any remaining dust with a dry cloth.

Slightly acid boiling copper tartrate solution can be used too. This technique chemically seals the metal with a decorative finish preventing corrosion. Tape the four corners down with painter s tape or masking tape. Metal ready for hammer texturing should be clean oxide free annealed and bone dry.

In this video we continue our 5 part series of making tube steel look like another metal. Wet metal causes tool rust and oxides on the metal will become embedded into the sheet during hammer texturing. Mix the copper surfacer well to ensure that the metal particles are evenly distributed. Here we are using the smart stains to create an antique copper finish.

Apply a thin coat using one of the foam brushes. Let dry about an hour before applying a second coat. Reattach the handle if necessary. Sand down the primer with medium grit sandpaper until it s completely smooth.

Sand the finish smooth and apply a second coat of paint if the color is not to your satisfaction. Repeat until the surface has an even coverage of copper. Apply a coat of spray paint in a copper or bronze color to the stainless steel using light even strokes of paint to achieve uniform coverage.