[TheForge] Re: Oil rubbed bronze

[Mike]

> I have a project that requires oil rubbed bronze...
>
> So what kind of oil would you use??????

Not knowing what "oil rubbed bronze" refers to, I had a quick google.
What I found was little on how it's done.  This might be relevant:

   http://www.secure.sciencecompany.com/thesciencecompany/patina.cfm

And the following stuff.  Did everybody else know this already?
There are probably a couple of other things I don't know, too.  Ho hum. 


- Mike
-- 
Michael Spencer                  Nova Scotia, Canada       .~. 
                                                           /V\ 
mspencer@tallships.ca                                     /( )\
http://home.tallships.ca/mspencer/                        ^^-^^

-- 

    An oil-rubbed bronze finish, also known as US 10B, is usually brass
    that has been oxidized or patinated to get that dark color. It's then
    rubbed with some kind of oil periodically to maintain the gloss over
    it, and I suppose to stop any more oxidation. I don't know if that
    would work too well on door handles, everybody using the door might
    walk away with an oily hand. I've seen door handles with a simulated
    US10B finish for sale all over the internet.  Or if you want to learn
    a new hobby, there are a couple of books on patinas available through
    finishing.com's literature section.

    Good luck, 

    Jake Koch
    G. J. Nikolas & Co., Inc. - Bellwood, IL
    http://www.finishing.com/Products/nicholas.html

---

    http://www.teskoenterprises.com/metalfinishes.html

    The following finishes are defined by the old US standard
    number system, still used by many Tesko clients.
    Additionally, the newer Builders Hardware Manufacturers
    Association (BHMA) numeric equivalent code is
    contained in the parentheses when it is available. 

    US10B (613, 640) 

    This finish is for Antique Bronze that has been oiled.
    Often used for solid bronze or brass hinges and oil-rubbed
    bronze plated steel. 

---

    Also: ANSI/BHMA A156.18-2000

          [But apparently you have to pay to read the specs.]
---

May 29, 2003 

    We produce a US10B finish with a dip process. It is an antique process
    that darkens (oxidizes) the brass substrate. The US Standard calls for
    using bronze substrate, but we have always used brass for our
    products.

    This is accomplished on a brushed brass surface. You can get a range
    of colors from light brown to dark brown, almost black. It depends on
    the color you want. Concentration, time and temperature controls the
    color. It takes us about three minutes in the 10B dip process.  We
    then remove the 'soot' by carefully washing each part by hand. We
    allow the parts to dry and we either use an oil or wax product which
    we hand apply on the part - or we lacquer it (with lacquer its called
    '21 finish). Several companies make chemicals that produce this
    finish. One such company is EPI in New Berlin, Wisconson, USA.

    Gloria J. Schwedler
    - Indianapolis, IN, USA