I am trying to patina copper black using liver of sulfur for the first time. The resulting black "patina" is flaking off during the rinse process. Do I need to pickle the copper first so it is all nice and clean? I was trying to avoid the copper being in contact with an acid solution and then in contact with the LOS, but I don't know.

 Has anyone else has this problem or know what it would be from? I had troubleshooting information that came with the LOS but can't seem to find it anywhere - grrr - I sometimes wish I was more organized and less creative.

 Anyway - any advice on this would be wonderful.

 Thanks!

Hi TiffanyRose,

It is best to clean your copper before you patina. Pickle. Sand, etc and then rinse with water. 

LOS will flake off if the patina solution acts quickly. Dunk your piece in the LOS for a few seconds, remove it and rinse in water to set. (The water stops the LOS from reacting to your piece.) Repeat many times until the piece is the desired color.

This dip and rinse process will allow the chemical to work deeper on your piece and the patina is less likely to flake off. Flakes occur when the LOS treats only a thin surface of the piece.

I hope this helps.