Frit-Happens !

Jewellery => Metal and wire => Topic started by: Shirley on April 22, 2013, 12:49:03 PM

Title: Keeping the lovely colours when heating copper
Post by: Shirley on April 22, 2013, 12:49:03 PM
I'm asking this on behalf of someone at my silversmithing class, but I'd be interested to know myself. The tutor doesn't have a solution.

Another student has been making copper pieces and heating them on a hotplate to bring out lots of colours. The issue is how to create a polished finish on the pieces without losing the range of colour. I think she's tried wax but that loses the range of colours.

Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Keeping the lovely colours when heating copper
Post by: Hamilton Taylor on April 22, 2013, 01:06:56 PM
spray lacquer?
Title: Re: Keeping the lovely colours when heating copper
Post by: mizgeorge on April 22, 2013, 01:13:26 PM
Some people have reasonable results with protectaclear (which is painted on or dipped into), but the general consensus seems to be that heat coloured copper is very hard to seal effectively. However polishing before heating makes a difference, and a gentle buff with the finest grade of micromesh will help bring the shine back up without destroying too much of the colour.