Copper Roof Patina Process

It may take many years for the green patina to occur.

Copper roof patina process.

During the first few months of exposure a copper roof will begin to darken and develop a dirty grayish brown tone that. This will make your roof a nice patina green in hours. The patina is due to the process of oxidation and the sulfur particles in the atmosphere. Copper roofing is bright pink to begin with and in time it can gain a brownish color and then a nice blue green patina.

When allowed to age naturally copper can take years to develop what s called the verdigris patina especially in dry climates. Not enough time has elapsed to really bring out the patina. When roof is dry and clean apply straight muriatic acid affil. Link to product info on amazon then take 0000 steel wool affil.

Acid washing the copper will make the green patina happen. Copper changes color much faster in damp and humid climates. Copper roofs last more than 100 years due to oxidation and the patina that forms on the surface of the copper. Achieving a quality patina in our desert climate.

However some people prefer the newer look of copper and this can be restored with the help of products and a little elbow grease. When copper reacts with the oxygen in the air copper oxide cuo is formed giving the copper a greenish color which some people desire for its classical look. Conversely a copper roof will take longer to get its patina in dry and arid areas. The patina process starts the minute the copper is exposed to air and moisture and over time a very thin layer of corrosion develops on the copper which helps protect it against the elements and degradation.

Coppers natural patina occurs as a gradual progression depending on the coppers physical orientation and the local weather and pollution levels on a grading scale of lighter and lighter greens. Copper roofing and gutters are slow to patina here in the desert with our dry hot climate. Link to rockler and rub gently. Acidity in the air or acid rain also have a big effect on copper roof patina progression.

If you want your roof to look 100 years old overnight just clean it with wright s copper cream affil. The patina process of copper is completely natural and one of the big draws for people who like its look. Areas with precipitation of a ph less than 5 5 will age copper much faster than alkaline climates. So when does it go green.

For instance a simple salt water bath will start the natural tarnishing to start. Link to product info on amazon with a bristle brush and a spray bottle protect your hands. The copper roof starts out salmon pink brown and makes it s way to the statue of liberty bright green. This process will take several months or years depending on the atmospheric conditions in your area.

Washing the copper with different solutions can accelerate the natural patina process. Buffing is a big part of the cleaning process.