Procedure For Patinization of Replacement and Repaired Elements on the Statue of Liberty

By Constance K Bassett 

 P.A. Fiebiger, Inc.
462 Tenth Avenue
New York, NY  10018


Application procedure for developing various antique green patinas: 

The copper sheeting surface with a dilute or form is solution of: 
                nitric acid – 1 part 
                distilled water  - 25 parts
or by lightly bead or sand blasting.
The copper is washed with a dilute solution of: 
                ammonium sulfide 1 part
                distilled water 10 parts 
darkening the metal to an even shade of brown-black.  The metal is rinsed with distilled water,  neutralizing the chemical. The copper is allowed to dry. The surface is now prepared for the green patination.       

I. Plaques 1 - 4 
These plaques were washed successively with a solution - of:
                ammonium chloride –1 part
                distilled water  -17 parts 
The surface was allowed to dry between coats 

II. Plaques 5 - 8 
These plaques were washed successively with a solution of: 
                cupric nitrate -1 part
                ammonium chloride -1 part
                calcium chloride -1 part
                distilled water  -17 parts 


The surface was allowed to dry between coats. When a light green was achieved, the patina was finished with -successive coats of Solution I (plaques 5-7). Plaque 8 was washed repeatedly with  Solution II, only. 

III. Plaques 9 - 10 
These plaques were washed successively with a solution of: 
                cupric nitrate -2 parts
                ammonium sulfide -1 part
                calcium chloride -5 parts
                distilled water -17 parts 
The surface was allowed to dry between coats. When a blue-green was achieved,  the patina was finished with several coats of Solution I. 

IV. Plaques 11 14 
These- plaques were washed successively with a of: 
                cupric chloride -1 part
                ammonium chloride  -1 part
                distilled water  - 34 parts 
The surface was allowed to dry between coats. 

Prepared by: Constance K Bassett