You are right that heat-treating copper gives it lovely colors. I
have worked with this as a main design element for several years. I
use a hardwood floor wax containing carnuba, and these are available
at any hardware store. My trick is to warm the wax by scooping a
piece on my fingers before applying and rubbing them together to
make the wax pliable, and then apply only a thin coat. I allow the
wax to set up, buff lightly with a soft brush, reapply at least one
more time, and buff again. Three coats is my preference. I have
pieces that are 8 years old still holding their color and wax.
Another way to apply the wax is to lightly heat the piece (not enough
to change the color you've worked so hard to get, of course) and drop
a small chunk of wax on it or dip the piece in the wax itself. This
technique has the advantage of not using a rubbing action, so it
can be helpful if you feel the patina will flake off the piece. This
can apply a little too much wax, however, so for smaller pieces I
tend to use my fingers and dab the wax lightly. I have found that
the color will tend to flake if I have not given it anything to hold
on to, so if you're having consistent trouble in this area, you may
need to lightly sand or scotch brite the piece to give it some
"teeth."
Orchid rocks!
regards,
Donna Blow
donna@dzinesbydonna.com
