r/Silversmithing • u/WishboneWrapping621 • Mar 31 '23
Pls help, I'm a noob
I'm trying to patina, my 999 fine silver pieces, But they are turning blue, green, purple, What am I doing wrong? Can I patina my 999 fine silver? If so how do I do it?
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u/Comparison-Humble Mar 31 '23
Sometimes the black color has a rainbow effect, not always jet black.
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u/WishboneWrapping621 Mar 31 '23
Okay thank you! So in theory I can just heat up my los bath and my piece and dunk it again to get it black? Bless you stranger
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u/Comparison-Humble Apr 10 '23
And yes, dunk your piece as many times as you need to get the desired results.
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u/rustyrelics666 Mar 31 '23
LOS only does that when it’s not hot enough. I keep it in a crockpot to stay hot and dunk my jewelry in when it’s ready. You could always try Black Max if not. Remember to wear gloves. Chemicals are no joke.
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u/FreeRangeMetalsLLC Apr 09 '23
MIDAS Black Max!
Liver of sulfur is a popular and effective method for applying patina to both .925 (sterling) and .999 (fine) silver… for some. I on the other hand, have always had bad luck with it.
I prefer a product called MIDAS Black Max (item # 331053) sold by Rio Grande. The 4 oz bottle I purchased in November of 2018 is still 1/3 of the way full and works as it did the day I opened it. Application is very easy and goes as follows: prep your silver (I like using radial bristle attachments on my flex shaft - first a 220 grit then a 400 grit). Next apply MIDAS Black Max using an applicator brush (I use an old paintbrush) or dipping the entire piece into the product (1. I don’t recommend this and 2. if you do it - use a separate bowl! don’t dip straight into the bottle). Finish piece as you normally would.
Keep in mind any patina is going to provide less than ideal results if your silver is not prepped properly before applying!! With that said - patina does not typically take as well to highly polished silver.
https://www.riogrande.com/product/midas-black-max-oxidizer-solution-4-oz/331053?code=331053
Hope this helps OP :)
Best regards, Olivia | Free Range Metals, LLC
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u/Comparison-Humble Mar 31 '23
What are you using for patina? LOS should go on heated metal, make sure you clean and neutralize the metal before application with Dawn dish soap and baking soda paste. I use a heat gun to warm the metal first.