A few years ago, I bought stained glass, solar-powered post (or newel) 4×4 caps for our front entryway. The lead or tin holding the stained glass pieces together were originally black, but they oxidized with the first rain, turning the lead whitish. I’m planning on recoloring the lead lines to their original black using some kind of paint or heavy black marker, and after recoloring, I intend to spray them with some variety of clear lacquer or enamel (or ???) to waterproof the finish. Problem is, what kind of clear spray would be best?
Anybody tried waterproofing stained glass this way?
Replies
Lead is usually blackened with a product called patina for lead. I think it contains some acids that react with the lead. I think spraying clear on the lights will not last very long because spray can clear is not usually resistant to UV rays, and will turn yellow and peel off.
Painting the lead with an artists brush would probably be best.
Thanks Mark and Dan
Although I said "lead," I was just using that as a generic; maybe I should have said "solder," since I don't really have a clue as to what it is. It was odd, tho; very black color when new, then after the first rain it oxidized and dripped white stuff onto the handrail below. But after that first oxidation, it seemed to act like aluminum, the surface oxidate forming a barrier against further oxidation. Anyway, it never dripped whitish stuff again, but the whitish color of the solder as it remains doesn't look as nice as the black color when it was new.
Mark, point taken about longevity of clear spray; I'll see what the home centers and internet have available before committing to it. And I am also searching for some kind of paint pen to use for the initial recoloring; I doubt I could operate a tiny brush with the dexterity required on those thin solder lines.
The attached photos were taken just a couple of weeks after I installed the post caps in 2012.
Perhaps some black colored automotive wax would work.
Coloration
Looks like I've got some experimentation to do. Thanks for the suggestions.
Before you "paint" it, try
Before you "paint" it, try washing it (or small parts of it), to see if the crud comes off easily. Use full-strength vinegar the first time, then, if that seems to not have the desired effect, try a strong baking soda solution. (If neither of those work, have the cat pee on it.) Be sure to rinse well when done.
To color it, I'd look for something along the lines of a stain. Liquid shoe polish comes to mind.
Cat pee
Now that's a thought. I just wish I could get my cat to pee on those lamps instead of the things around the house he usually chooses.
Black patina
This looks like glass was put together using copper foil and solder. Stained glass supply stores sell a liquid to add a "black patina" to soldered glass. I tried to insert a couple of weblinks into this message, but was unsuccessful. If you search on "stained glass supplies" and then "black patina" you'll find it readily.
I've never used it, but I know that there are multiple manufacturers and multiple formulations. I don't know if any will last outdoors--I'm kind of guessing that's what you had.
They're probably not lead but rather zinc alloy ("pot metal"). The "whitish" coloring you see may be "zinc pest", a sort of corrosion that occurs in poorly formulated pot metal.
black patina
Sorry to be so late with this reply, Jim, and thank you. I'll try looking it up.