Copper Coloring with a Butane Torch

Almost anyone can color copper using an inexpensive butane torch. Not as quick as using oxygen acetylene, but does provide more control. The coloring in this video is done in real time, Coloring with the butane torch takes more time than when using an oxygen acetylene torch. But, it does give more control. Look for more videos on KZbin. People use copper coloring for a number of purposes. I only use it for coloring copper leaves.

[@ramsesosirus]

Just learned George passed away July 1, 2021... your videos are still helping people, thank you!

[@esliet]

Really ? RIP sir

[@burg5556]

Thank you very much 💙

[@Donosomaria28]

QEPD querido maestro! Gracias por tu enseñanzas. Que estés en el cielo jugando con cobre 🤗🤗

[@billrobinson8042]

My condolences to the family, if it's any consolation, his videos are still sharing his knowledge and experience. That's a great thing to pass on. Thank you

[@adayinmyworld]

Beautiful work👌🏾

[@belgrademachine]

Love the end product! and very relaxing to watch the process on the leaves.

[@897473]

Thanks for the comment. How are things in Montana?

[@belgrademachine]

George Goehl Good! And been meaning to make a video. I tumble my plasma cut parts with stones. It removes dross as well as makes for a unique patina... opens up the cold rolled steel to rust too. Cool shelving brackets, keychains, table legs etc. I work full time so it remains a hobby business. Your work is awesome! Always nice to see your stuff.

[@darrellolsen1204]

Excellent video, I'm going give it a go 😁👍

[@syedshahidulislam7180]

Simply beautiful sir!

[@897473]

If you like copper coloring, search around on KZbin. You'll people who are far more skilled at copper coloring than me. My use of copper coloring is limited to copper leaves.

[@syedshahidulislam7180]

@@897473 your humility is humbling enough! Great work with the leaves though ! Actually i wished to test out the effect on a bike fuel tank wherein only the tank has either a copper shell or is entirely made out of coated copper and painted using this art-form with the rest of the bike being painted matte black.

[@logananaya]

Thank you george:)💛 May you be at peace bother

[@paolo1960]

Mr. George Gohel, grazie e complimenti perché lei è un vero artista che con intelligenza, creatività, artigianalità e sensibilità regala "Un Anima" ad ogni oggetto e diventa "Vita". Saluti e buone cose da Paolo Croce - Genua Italy

[@897473]

Thank you for the kind compliments. Used Google translate . And the very best to you! George

[@Vatsek]

Nice colors.

[@897473]

Thanks, I'd to take some more time and experiment with that little torch.

[@MicrobyteAlan]

Thanks from Orlando

[@897473]

My pleasure, thanks for commenting.

[@judydejong3789]

You do beautiful work! Love the colors in the leaves.

[@897473]

Thanks for commenting. More videos coming.

[@margaretbowman6647]

Hi! Thanks for your tips! I have found something that seems to maintain about 75% of the color! I call it a vapor chamber. I put the piece on a paper plate down in the bottom of an empty plastic trashcan. I gently spray for about 3 to 5 seconds at the mouth of the trashcan and then put the lid on quickly! The vapor particles can gently float down and land on your metal. I do this 3 to 4 times. And it seems to work better then spraying it by hand, up close! Any technique that gets your metal wet… Destroys that beautiful patina! This new technique… Reduces the size of the paper particles to teeny ones… It helps!👍

[@bradthayer6782]

I keep hearing that lacquer will preserve the color better. I recently bought several brands and I will be experimenting soon. The rustoleum crystal clear is my go to now, but it definitely mutes the colors.

[@897473]

Now that you mention it, recently I've been using clear lacquer and it does seems to mute the color less.

[@addictedtotreasuretrash108]

Hej i do this with a gas torch and a small one also but when finished how do i keep the colour onto the copper ? What i mean is, i sand down the copper, shine it up with wire wool and then use my burner on it , oce i have the colours i leave it cool, but then on some of them the colours all rub off and i am left with a blotchy colours . Any tips please ? Thanx

[@nsopceo]

How do you avoid further color change when brazing? I like the control compared to O A. Thanks George

[@897473]

I wish I knew! :-) Just finished 50 butterflies and a dozen copper maple leaves. I got some great colors but it seems that every one turns out differently. On the butterflies I got the best colors using the standard hardware store type propane torch. Worked great on the butterflies but couldn't get the same effect on the maple leaves. One tip though, is to take the flame away just before you get to the color you want. For a second or two the color will change once you take the flame away. Wish I could give you some definite steps, but it has always been a trial and error process.

[@897473]

Just re-read your question. Coloring is the last step before applying a spray finish. Any brazing is done before coloring.

[@miscsilliness]

George, Trying to braze 2 pieces of 16 gauge copper together using a copper/ brass rod with a propane torch. It doesn’t melt the rod even with a long application of the flame and even when it does heat up, a blob of the rod falls off the end and cools in to a hard chunk. No braze for me! Any thoughts? I’m trying to tack together 2 halves of a fish. I think I just need to get an oxy torch.

[@897473]

Brazing copper: Are you brazing 16 oz. copper or 16 gauge? 16 gauge is a lot heavier than 16 oz. There are several types of propane torches. The more expensive propane torches mix the propane with the oxygen in the rooms differently than the basic propane torch. If you have the basic propane torch (about $13.00) you might upgrade to a better torch (about $40.00). Another solutions is a video I did on "Heat Containment": kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3rdaXiNoNmGY8U

[@miscsilliness]

George Goehl George, sorry, correct 16 ounce

[@jerrymiller1954]

Nice one George. How do you get the green ?

[@897473]

Jerry, I get the green rarely and have no clear idea of what I did to get it. Some people have this down but for me it is truly trial and error.

[@jerrymiller1954]

George Goehl Thanks George. I find most of the colours are “trial and error”. Thanks for the reply. Keep the videos coming!

[@joseangel358]

Se puede aplicar una laca??

[@gandalf7262]

Are you sure it is not real Gold? Have you tested it?

[@897473]

Thanks for viewing

[@mimardelplata]

Oh it’s so beautiful ; shame I cannot make in silver ?

[@897473]

Paula, there are some interesting colors with silver. Oppi Untracht was an American master metalsmith, Fantastic book with lot of chemical finishes for metals. I think the book is available on Amazon (expensive).

[@mimardelplata]

George Goehl i just had a look there are many books I wonder which one you would recommend ? I. A beginner

[@897473]

@@mimardelplata This is the one I have. Not as expensive as I thought (used). " Metal Techniques for Craftsmen: A Basic Manual for Craftsmen on the Methods of Forming and Decorating Metals -with 769 Illustrations". It isn't a book that I'd read cover to cover. I use it mainly for reference. A lot on Indian metal working. A bit humbling to see the intricate work that is done with very simple tools. I didn't realize that I can get a good used copy for $32.00. I'll be ordering one as mine is falling apart. Had it since the early 70's. Any book by this author is worth having.

[@markmeler5205]

What about using automotive clear coat as a finish?

[@897473]

Mark, I really don't know whether that would allow for keeping the colors. My son just ordered some new spray that is suppose to keep the colors. www.everbritecoatings.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7

[@onemansjunk01]

2024 still getting views