Patinizing metal?

Question: Patinizing metal!?

I have some thin sheet 'tin' metal I believe I bought from home depot!. I'm trying to make some sheet metal panels with a patina on it!. Does anyone know what the sheet metal at HD is made out of and can you oxidize or put a patina on it!?

If not, is there a certain type of sheet metal I can buy that would work for a decorative patina!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Sheet metal from Home Depot is probably zinc plated steel!. There is little you can do to patina it unless you want it black!. The metals that show effects from patina are copper, brass and bronze!. You will not be able to find sheet bronze, but sheet brass and copper are available in the hobby metals display of K&S Metals and the sheet display of SteelWorks!.
There are a set of paints with metal in a latex base and matching patinas that can be used to patina ceramics, cement, and wood as well as metal!. There are actual metals in the base paint!. These are available in paint departments of some hardware stores and paint stores!.
Like this
http://www!.spectrapaint!.com/fauxfinish/p!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Most likely the sheet metal from Home Despot is galvanized steel!. Not much for interesting patinas there, either a whitish powdery finish or a rust color, depending on how much zinc is on the surface of the steel!.

The best metals for patinas are copper based alloys!. Brass is probably the worst, with bronze being the almost best!. Copper would be the ultimate best!. There may be some copper sheet at HD, or other hardware stores!. You might try some roofing supply outfits, sometimes copper sheet is used as flashing on finer homes or historical restorations!.

As far as what chemical(s) to use, the application, and preservation of the finished patina is a whole 'nuther question!. Finding the metal is the first step!.

Good luckWww@QuestionHome@Com