Inexpensive Faux Copper and Patina Metal
Do you love the look of copper, but the price makes your head whip the other way? Have no fear my dear! You can create inexpensive faux copper and patina for a fraction of the cost.
I was introduced to Modern Masters Metal Effects at Haven last year and the finish definitely fooled me. I honestly thought it was real copper. When I read up on the product, I realized that there are real copper particles in the paint which allows it to react and patina with the Metal Effects Green Patina Solution. (affiliate link)
The uses for this paint are limitless! Discount light fixtures can be transformed into luxury copper versions with a little paint and patina spray. Paint inexpensive statues to look like real metal. Even Virgin Records and Ceasar’s Palace have used the paint and patina on exterior roof surfaces to fake the look. You may have seen the copper panel on our family organization center door. Today I want to show you how to create Inexpensive Copper Metal and Patina using Metal Effects!
Materials:
(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)
- Sheet Metal
- Tin Snips
- Modern Masters Acid Blocking Primer
- Modern Masters Aging Solution Green Patina
- Modern Masters Metallic Copper Paint
- Paint brush
- Work gloves
- Latex gloves
Optional: Sea sponge
Instructions:
Cut your piece of sheet metal to size using tin snips. Be sure to wear work gloves to avoid cutting yourself on the metal. Wipe off any dirt or grease.
Coat the metal with one coat of primer. Let it dry and apply a second coat of primer.
After the primer has dried, add one coat of the Metal Effects copper paint. After that dries, add a second coat.
Once the copper paint is dry, you can leave it as is, or add a beautiful patina.
Adding Patina to Faux Copper:
Pour a small amount of the Green Patina aging solution in a spray bottle. (Alternatively you could use a sea sponge to dab the solution onto the copper painted item.)
Put on rubber gloves and spray the patina solution onto the copper painted metal sheet.
Within seconds the metal will begin to turn dark and then the green patina will form.
I found it helpful to use a sea sponge to dab at some of the drips and distribute the patina solution around the metal. For a natural and random look, don’t coat the whole sheet with the patina solution.
You can paint the Metal Effects on almost anything, even other metals.
To cover the holes on the family organization door, I cut another piece of sheet metal large enough to cover both holes. I found a brass faceplate at our local Habitat ReStore.
I repeated the steps above until I had this beauty:
Attaching the sheet metal to the door is simple and can be accomplished with brad nails or upholstery tacks. Hold the tacks with needle-nosed pliers and hammer them through the sheet metal.
Add some magnets to create a place to display pictures or important reminders.
What could you transform with Modern Metals? They have other metal reactive paints as well.
Want to see some more magical transformations using Metal Effects? Check out this video:
Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post or a product review. I bought the primer, paint and patina solution to try. I was not paid or compensated by Modern Masters.
Would this paint work on tile? I have a fireplace from 1980 that I want to reface. It has hideous 12″x12″ brown tile. There is grout between the tiles.
I’d check with the manufacturer, Modern Masters.
Will this approach work on wood?
It should.
Is the primer needed first to do this effect on drywall?
That’s a good question for the manufacturer.