HOW TO - Applying Copper Patina - Beginner Stained Glass Tutorial

This video goes step-by-step through the copper patina process to achieve a beautiful bright and shiny copper finish.
Social Media Links:
linktr.ee/SamanthaAshleyGlass
The following are items I use in this process:
Cj's Flux Remover amzn.to/3LKi3Wv
Baby Hairbrush amzn.to/3KMi4b7
Steel Wool amzn.to/3FaYiVO
Melamine Sponge amzn.to/38NFFLg
Novacan Copper Patina amzn.to/38Lx2Ry
Clarity Finishing Compound
Microfiber Cloths amzn.to/3se4Cqb
**Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

[@shirleylong5261]

You need to do a tutorial on soldering…yours is great!!!

[@NoMSGPlz]

Love ❤️ love your creativity. ArtyRV mentioned using baking soda for flux removal and I found it is awesome and cheap.

[@slavicprincess]

yesss please try it with the copper patina! there's lots of different videos here on yt about how to make the copper patina shiny but at the end of the day it's just making sure the solder is buffed and shiny as possible before applying the patina and then also using a dedicated polishing compound for the copper patina afterwards which will make it really nice and shiny, for more info definitely check some of the videos out! also copper is like silver, it will tarnish over time and will need repeat polishing!

[@05MaryBeth]

Baking soda and a wet toothbrush works excellent for copper and also black patina.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Yes! I love that there are so many ways to do everything - gives everyone an opportunity to find the way that works best for them.

[@stellagirl7625]

👍The BEST INFO and well spoken ( not boring or too detailed)!🤗🌈

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Thanks!!

[@rodidlewild2330]

Thanks Samantha for you super video tutorial. I really enjoy your style , pace and of course exceptional skills. Thanks for taking the time to produce the video. It really helped.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

You are so welcome! I'm glad you found value in the video.

[@vlee3880]

Super informative! Thanks for this!

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

You're welcome, hope it helps!

[@jmheller9268]

Great video. I always try new ways with copper patina. So yes. I will be trying this way. Thanks so much!! Love all your pieces. Looking forward to more patterns to purchase in the future😉😊

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Thank you Josie! This is the method I always come back to, so I hope it works for you!

[@suzannebigras7071]

Beautiful work. Glad I found you 👍 Happy New Year.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Thank you! Happy New Year!

[@kodad3781]

Wow! Next piece ill use this technique! Thank you😊

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

I hope it works for you! Even when you do everything right, copper can still choose to be a bit finicky

[@carmensparks6950]

I just tried this technique and it worked beautifully. Thank you for sharing your process!

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Oh I'm so happy to hear that! Sometimes when a method works for one person, it might not work for another person, so I'm glad it worked for you!

[@zuz1960]

Very nice beautiful

[@edwinmontes1767]

I Love the pattern! How do you come up with those patterns? Any guidance is greatly appreciated. I am just starting out. 😊

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Thanks! I don't really know, lol. I have a notebook that I doodle in, and when I doodle something I like, then I refine it a few times. I also really like art deco and art nouveau styles, so I research elements from those times.

[@stellagirl7625]

I love Amazon, tho I still like to shop around. I purchased here so I hope you get something from my order. *** The first try at putting it in my cart failed (it gave me the cute dog picture "sorry" sign). The second attempt worked. Again, I hope the % went to you.🌈

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@me_92other42]

Very nice, I've always had iffy results with the copper patina. Ever try black patina on zinc? Thanks for sharing.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

I've used black patina for zinc on zinc as well as black patina for lead on zinc. The patina for zinc takes some work, but you can get a great black patina with it, you can also get a pretty good black patina with the pains for lead, but you have to be careful when applying it, you can easily rub it off before it dries.

[@reee295]

You're very good at doing nice solder lines, very neat. What's your trick?

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Thank you. There's really no "trick," just practice and getting a feel for how the solder flows. I think a good gel flux helps (I like classic 100), and don't be afraid to drag a large blob of solder along your seams, you can also go over your seams a couple times to smooth them out, just be careful that you don't linger too long, or you may get heat cracks.

[@wavyxxbaby]

Do you leave the backside just flat solder? I didn’t see a bead just curious if it was only my eyes!

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Oh no, there's definitely a bead on the backside too

[@chelseaharman945]

Does the fine steel wool not scratch up the iridescent part on the glass????

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Nope, doesn't harm the iridescence at all! 🙂

[@kimkay4100]

I'm brand new to stain glass. what did you use to cane the outside edge? I am working on my first piece and want all of it copper like you have in this project. I was told the solder spots would remain lead looking.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

If you want copper along the perimeter, you can't use lead came, you have to edge bead with solder. If your piece is rectangular, you can use copper came.

[@kimkay4100]

Thank you so much

[@maribelpasarell207]

🎉🎉🎉😊

[@mariaalexandraciofu7093]

hi, thank you for the video, very helpful... Finishing Compound is safe for the skin?

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Yes, finishing compound is just carnauba wax with polishing agents

[@mariaalexandraciofu7093]

thank you

[@mariaalexandraciofu7093]

I want to use it for a necklace and in that sense I'm concerned

[@grazia9398]

Needed i tried everything and Copper never appeared now I know why ahah thanks. ❤

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Water quality can also mess with copper. Try using distilled if you need to

[@mikedeitel8920]

hard question... what would have happened if you had NOT washed it or had not applied lax remover, but went to the copper patina instead?

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Good question, I've never applied patina before cleaning, but I would assume it would give an uneven/aged patina look. I've heard of people applying black patina before cleaning, so it might be an interesting experiment.

[@zoecorman2500]

how is it possible to clean pieces that have a lot of textured decorative solder areas?

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

A toothbrush will be your best friend for getting into all those textures crevices!

[@mackenzieschaubach7336]

I got CJ’s flux remover and washed my piece twice with is and the flux is still not all the way gone. Any recommendations?

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

What are you using to scrub with? You can try scrubbing with a shoe brush, or try a sponge? You can also use alcohol or a Clorox wipe immediately after soldering, to clean off most of the flux residue, then wash with cj's flux remover. Sometimes I have to clean my pieces two or three times to get everything off.

[@debratryanowski620]

How long do you let the patina dry before waxing?

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Not very long, maybe 5 or 10 minutes, I like to get the wax on pretty quickly, so the air doesn't start oxidizing the copper. Once the wax is on, you can let it dry for as long you want.

[@atashinokoe]

I’d love your opinion…I’m working on my first piece and it’s large 😬 I had read for larger pieces to use lead came, but I love the way the copper foil looks and wanted to use copper patina. Do you think it’s worth the risk to not use lead came or should I just give in and do a black patina? It’s a semicircular piece, with the bottom being 31” and the height is 16.5”, don’t plan on it being a hanging piece.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Honestly, you can go pretty large with copper foil (I've seen some massive copper foil panels). A lot of factors depend on the design though. You may need to use 1/4" foil for extra strength, or include some restrip/strong line, and you'll want to frame it with zinc. Since you said it's not being hung, does that mean it's being installed against an existing window?

[@atashinokoe]

Yes, there’s a window I wanted to put it on the interior side to help diffuse the sunlight and just add to the decor

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Oh yeah, you'll be fine to do this in copper foil

[@atashinokoe]

@@SamanthaAshleyGlass thank you for your input, I appreciate it 🥰 and thank you for your video as well, your work is beautiful

[@debratryanowski620]

Do you reuse the microfiber cloths? Wash them in the washing machine?

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

yes! I wash them in my washing machine using dlead laundry detergent.

[@debratryanowski620]

@@SamanthaAshleyGlass oh great! I actually have that detergent.

[@StinkyDustyBird]

This is for leaded solder I take it

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Correct. I know a few people who work with lead-free solder, and they haven't seemed to find a good copper patina solution yet

[@TheCyclingArtist]

I heard Clarity has been discontinued. I always love your vids lovely work as always.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Noooo, I was wondering why it was out of stock everywhere! First Liva, now Clarity?!

[@bridgettebakes]

@@SamanthaAshleyGlass I heard this too and have no idea what to buy because I don’t love car wax.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

@@bridgettebakes I'm looking into Studio Pro Finishing Compound. I'm not usually a fan of Studio Pro products, but the finishing compound has the exact same description as Clarity, so I'm hoping it's similar.

[@bridgettebakes]

@@SamanthaAshleyGlass thanks for the reply! I saw your IG post. I’ll watch for your review :)

[@ladybug03s8]

What steel wool do you use?

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

the superfine 0000

[@juliesilvasy9490]

HELP!!!! What am I doing wrong. I made a mermaid and patina it copper. I scrubed with Flux remover and then went over it with fine steel wool and then washed again with a magic eraser. When I put the patina on it left darker areas.. almost like it was aging. How are you getting such a crisp copper? Thank you in advance for your help.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Did the dark spots appear right away, or after it dried, before waxing? I find that copper patina is time sensitive, after applying the patina, wipe it dry and apply wax right away. Another thing, after scrubbing with steel wool and/or magic eraser, do another wash with soap and water to get rid of any dirty residue from scrubbing the lines. If you still have issues, it might have something to do with your water.

[@juliesilvasy9490]

@@SamanthaAshleyGlass they did appear right away...but I'll try washing again and applying and waxing quicker. Thank you so much

[@reee295]

And I'm saying that with due respect

[@kimrountree9399]

If you live in Los Angeles like me don’t even try to use tap water with copper patina, it makes these horrible black splotches all over my solder lines no matter how well I followed these instructions. Filtered water made all the difference for me.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Oh no! That's too bad about your tap water, I'm glad you were able to have luck with filtered water though.

[@kimrountree9399]

@@SamanthaAshleyGlass yah…LA is just a poisonous hell hole lol I was really hoping I could get away with tap but nope!

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Perfect example of not every method will work for everyone 😭. I must be spoiled with my Great Lakes water. P.S. I'm sure you probably know this, but you can still salvage your piece by steel wooling it again and re-patinating the problem areas.

[@morganpierce6163]

I’m in Florida, but I’ve been having the same problem!

[@FknNefFy]

Doesn’t look like it has patina it just looks copper (I liked it before better

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

That's because it is copper. In stained glass you can apply either a copper patina, or a black patina to the silver solder (or you can leave solder silver). It's all personal preference 🙂