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How to get a good dark patina finish on zinc and on solder lines

1. Steel wool the zinc until shiny.

2. Wipe off any residue following steel wool treatment.

3. Cut a small section of T-shirt material, about a 3 X 3 inch piece.

4. Poor a liberal amount of black patina for zinc into a small cup ( I use an old yogurt cup)

5. Soak the T-shirt swab in patina, and apply liberally to the zinc frame. It does no harm to get the zinc patina on the solder lines. But.....do not get the black patina for solder onto the zinc frame! (if you do, you have to steel wool the frame again, and reapply the black patina for zinc) I hold the panel on edge so that I can apply patina to both sides as I go, then once I have finished all four sides I turn the panel so that the side that was away from me is now to me and I reapply zinc patina as needed.

6. As you apply gently wipe the frame with a larger piece of T-shirt material.

7. Continue to apply the patina around the frame and wipe gently until you achieve a nice black finish.

8. Apply black patina for solder to the solder lines being careful not to get any on the zinc frame. (to achieve a blacker patina, add a pinch of salt and mix into your patina for solder) I use a section of green scrubby pad to apply my patina for solder. I purchase them at flea markets for about a dollar for a package of 10. I do not use scotch brite as it is too abrasive. I cut small squares of the pads approximately 1 inch X 1 inch. I use them once and then dispose of them. They are not very durable, but they are very inexpensive.

9. Dab away excess patina with a paper towel. Do not touch frame with wet paper towel as it will remove the zinc patina!!!!

10. Spray cleaner liberally over panel and wipe clean.

11. Turn panel over and repeat process on second side.

12. Spray cleaner liberally over entire panel and wipe dry. Do not rush this process. Clean your panel well. If it doesn’t appear clean the first time, repeat the process. Wipe dry with a clean, dry terry or microfiber towel.

13. Allow panel to air dry for 24 to 48 hours and then wax with either pledge or a carnauba wax. Buff well if using carnauba so as to alleviate any residue that may occur around the edges of the solder lines. Pledge will keep your black lines darker in color, carnauba wax will lighten the color of the patina.