What is petina?

Question

In reference to polishing metals (old) and brass I have been told it is best to leave brass alone so that the origional 'petina' wasn't removed.

So what is petina and does metal have it?

Answer 1

pat·i·na

–noun 1. a film or incrustation, usually green, produced by oxidation on the surface of old bronze and often esteemed as being of ornamental value.

Answer 2

It's just a label for an attractive oxidation/tarnish of the metal.  

Brass darkens and later gets blotchy and green scale on it.  That would be considered a patina.  Silver, copper, bronze all get it.

Answer 3

'Patina` is the surface condition of the metal.

In antiques, it marks the age of the piece, and the

treatment it has received.

You should gently clean the piece, but abrasive

polish will destroy some of it's value.

Answer 4

Patina  occurs when the air oxidation takes place, where moister get on to the surface of the metal  ,affecting  the metal in question

  no ferrous metal...... brass   copper etc

  once upon -a- time people Polish metal  to keep it look shiny .. however, every time you polish you remove. some metal. over time........     the metal get thin and weak....

  today .   we try and keep the old look .

Answer 5

The change in an object's surface resulting from natural aging due to wear and oxidation. Antique jewelry is expected to have this patina and the value of the piece may decrease if it is cleaned off.