Methods and compositions for coating metal surfaces

Abstract

The invention provides methods and compositions related to adding a coating to a metal surface under low temperature conditions, such as a patina, where a binder is added to the surface, followed by a first dye, optionally the integrity of the first dye layer is disrupted to provide a mottled, cracked appearance, then a second dye layer is added, followed by a clear protective coat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of applying a patina to a metal surface comprising
 (i) applying a binder to the area or areas of the metal surface to be patinated, wherein the binder is capable of binding to the metal and to a dye to be used in patination;   (ii) allowing the binder to dry;   (iii) applying a first dye to the area or areas to be patinated, wherein the first dye adheres to the binder;   (iv) allowing the first dye to dry;   (v) applying a integrity-breaking substance to the areas coated with the first dye, wherein the integrity-breaking substance causes the first dye coat to lose a smooth appearance;   (vi) allowing the area to dry;   (vii) applying a second dye coat to the surfaces to be patinated, wherein the second dye adheres to the first dye and to any exposed binder, and wherein the second dye is different from the first dye;   (viii) allowing the second dye coat to dry; and   (ix) applying a protective coating to the surface.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, after step (viii), removing excess dye from an area or areas to be plain in the final piece. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the metal surface is prepared for patination by
 (i) determining a patina area or areas on the surface and a plain area or areas on the surface; 
 (ii) for any plain area or areas for which a polish is desired in a final product, polishing the plain area or areas; 
 (iii) cleaning the surface by applying to the surface a surface cleaner; and 
 (iv) allowing surface to dry completely. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the protective coating is allowed to dry completely and the surface is polished to a desired degree of brilliance. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the metal of the metal surface comprises iron, steel, brass, copper, bronze, silver, gold, or platinum. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the metal of the metal surface comprises silver. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the metal surface is part of a piece of jewelry. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the jewelry comprises a necklace, pendant, ring, bracelet, or brooch. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second dye coat comprises at least 2 different color dyes. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein all the steps are performed at a temperature of less than 50° C. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second dye coat has a total thickness between 0.0005 to 0.005 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second dye coat has a total thickness between 0.001 and 0.004 inches. 
     
     
         13 . A patinated metal surface comprising
 (i) a base layer of metal;   (ii) a binder bonded to the base metal layer;   (iii) a first dye bonded to the binder;   (iv) a second dye bonded to the first dye, wherein the second dye is different from the first dye; and   (v) a protective coating bonded to the second dye.   
     
     
         14 . The patinated metal surface of  claim 13  further comprising one or more plain areas that are not patinated. 
     
     
         15 . The patinated metal surface of  claim 13  wherein the metal comprises iron, steel, brass, copper, bronze, silver, gold, or platinum. 
     
     
         16 . The patinated metal surface of  claim 15  wherein the metal of the metal surface comprises silver. 
     
     
         17 . The patinated metal surface of  claim 13  wherein the metal surface is part of a piece of jewelry. 
     
     
         18 . The patinated metal surface of  claim 17  wherein the jewelry comprises a necklace, pendant, ring, bracelet, or brooch. 
     
     
         19 . The patinated metal surface of  claim 13  wherein the second dye layer has a thickness between 0.0005 and 0.005 inches. 
     
     
         20 . The patinated metal surface of  claim 19  wherein the second dye layer has a thickness between 0.001 and 0.004 inches. 
     
     
         21 . The patinated metal surface of  claim 13  wherein the second dye layer is translucent. 
     
     
         22 . The patinated metal surface of  claim 13  wherein the patinated metal surface has a mottled, finely cracked appearance.