How to induce copper patina?

A quick search in CPF via Tapatalk didn't bring about any result and I know Google has a lot of results in inducing patina on copper. But I dont want to damage the lens of the light with strong acids, I'm afraid it might result in the optics frosting. My apologies in advance if this question has been asked.

So my question is, how do you SAFELY induce copper patina without disassembling the light? I'm afraid of damaging it. I know I can soak it in water but I dont want the green patina, I just want a sort of dark bluish-black patina on the light.

The light in question, btw, is a copper Lumintop Tool if that helps.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Blue-Patina-on-Copper/

You could put wax over the lens to stop the fumes from reaching it. Otherwise the mild chemical doesn't physically touch the flashlight at all.

Pee on it I know when they changed out some copper plates on the roof on old churches, they used pee to age it in a hurry.
But if the light is a user, then it will never get that old patina. Pocket wear will buff it out and make it shiny again in no time.

LeanBurn said:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Blue-Patina-on-Copper/

You could put wax over the lens to stop the fumes from reaching it. Otherwise the mild chemical doesn't physically touch the flashlight at all.

Click to expand...

This is great, i lpve hpw that blue patina looks! Im going to try this out. Its reversible anyway, right?

jorn said:

Pee on it I know when they changed out some copper plates on the roof on old churches, they used pee to age it in a hurry.
But if the light is a user, then it will never get that old patina. Pocket wear will buff it out and make it shiny again in no time.

Click to expand...

Okay, I'm uneasy about peeing on something that I'm going to be touching om a regular basis [emoji23]

Anyway, my wife already thinks I'm weird for having so many lights. If she finds out that I peed on one purposely, I'm afraid that will be the end of our marriage [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

Handle it (get the oils and such from your hands on it), then set it in the sun. Or it you're brave, take a torch to it. Any patina can be undone by polishing it since it's a surface oxidation

if you use the pee method, you will never hold that light in your mouth hehe. It's hard to polish it back between the knurling. So if you dont like the result, putting it in ketchup or cola overnight will make it shiny again.

I am not sure but I think I heard somewhere to use lemon juice but I could be wrong so look it up first. Come to think of it that might have been to clean it! Sorry.

Father Azmodius said:

Handle it (get the oils and such from your hands on it), then set it in the sun. Or it you're brave, take a torch to it. Any patina can be undone by polishing it since it's a surface oxidation

Click to expand...

Great info, thanks! I'm going to try and give it two more weeks by keeping it in my hands more often then go with the ammonia route if nothing happens.

jorn said:

if you use the pee method, you will never hold that light in your mouth hehe. It's hard to polish it back between the knurling. So if you dont like the result, putting it in ketchup or cola overnight will make it shiny again.

Click to expand...

Thanks! Will try the ketchup if anything goes wrong.

I kept the clip on and it kinda bothers me that the portion under the clip is shinier than the rest of the light. So I'm thinking of repeating the whole proceess again.

For use on copper jewelry

Pick your preferred color of patina
Want weathered, used like a penny, or 20+ year old?
You decide...