Patina facts for kids
A patina is a thin layer that forms on the surface of metals and other materials. It's like a special coating made of different chemicals, such as rust or carbonates. This coating often appears when a material is exposed to the weather, like rain or air. The word "patina" comes from a Latin word meaning "shallow dish." For many artworks, a patina can make them look even more valuable and beautiful. Sometimes, artists even want their creations to develop a patina over time.
How Natural Patinas Form
A natural patina takes many years to grow on a surface. Buildings in wet places will get patinas faster than those in dry areas. For example, many buildings have parts made of copper, brass, or bronze. These metals will change to different colors as they age naturally.
Copper often turns a natural green or blue-green color. Bronze usually becomes a brown color. Ancient civilizations used bronze a lot. In fact, the Bronze Age is named after this metal! In the United States, bronze was not often used in buildings before the American Civil War.
Marble, especially white marble, was used for classical Greek and Roman statues. Over time, it can get a light golden patina.
Old and well-used firearms can also develop a patina on their steel parts. This happens after their original finish wears off. Firearms with a natural patina are usually worth more than ones that have been re-finished. The patina actually helps protect the firearm from more damaging rust.
Sometimes, rust itself is seen as a type of patina. This is true for "rat rods," which are custom cars designed to look like old 1940s hot rods. They celebrate the look of rusted hot rods. Some are truly rusted metal, while others have a fake finish that just looks like rust.
Making Patinas on Purpose
You can make copper items, lamps, and outdoor decorations look old and weathered using paints or special chemicals. For example, a mix of ammonia and white vinegar can give copper an aged patina.
Architects and craftspeople sometimes use copper sulfate on copper items to make them look old quickly. "Patina Green" is another product that gives copper an instant aged look.
Woodworkers and wood finishers also mix their own wood stains. They do this to make new wood furniture match the color and look of older pieces.
Images for kids
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Copper roof on the Minneapolis City Hall, coated with patina
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The Dresden Frauenkirche. The church was destroyed during the bombing of Dresden in 1945 and then rebuilt from 1993 to 2005 with new material; the stones with the black patina are the parts that survived the firebombing from the original 18th-century church.
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Pre-colonial copper coin formerly used in the Copper Belt (Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia). The external layer has been weathered by moisture and rain, leading to the oxidation of copper.
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Copper weather vane with verdigris patina
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The Statue of Liberty gets its famous green color from the natural patina formed on its copper surface.
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Natural copper patina at the Nordic Embassies (Berlin)
See also
In Spanish: Pátina (cobre) para niños
