Understanding Patina on Wood, Metal and Leather

Patina is what happens to materials as they age. On wood, it’s the gradual darkening and mellowing of color. On metal, it’s the oxidation that forms protective layers. Understanding patina helps you work with aged materials and know when to preserve versus refinish.

Wood Patina

Fresh-cut cherry looks pink. Give it a few months of light exposure and it deepens to a rich reddish-brown. That’s patina—the wood reacting to UV light and air.

Different species age differently. Walnut starts dark and lightens slightly. Oak yellows. Maple gains a warm amber tone. Pine develops orange-yellow hues. These changes continue for years before stabilizing.

Antique furniture collectors prize original patina. It provides authenticity that can’t be faked convincingly. Stripping and refinishing antique pieces often destroys more value than it adds.

Metal Patina

Bronze and copper develop green patina through exposure to air and moisture. This verdigris actually protects the metal underneath from further corrosion. The Statue of Liberty’s green color is patina doing its job.

Iron and steel patina differently—they rust. Unlike bronze patina, rust continues eating into the metal unless stopped. Woodworking tools need protection; bronze hardware can be left to age naturally.

Working with Patinated Materials

Reclaimed wood often carries decades of patina. The gray, weathered surface results from UV exposure and fungal activity. This patina only goes skin-deep—plane or sand below the surface and you’ll find fresh wood underneath.

Some projects use both surfaces: weathered gray on visible faces, fresh wood where joinery requires it. This requires planning cuts to preserve the aged surfaces.

Creating Artificial Patina

Various techniques accelerate aging. Steel wool soaked in vinegar creates an iron-acetate solution that grays wood instantly. Ammonia fuming darkens oak dramatically. Oxidizing solutions age brass and copper in hours rather than decades.

These methods create aged appearance without the decades of waiting. Results vary by species and technique—test on scrap before committing to a project.

Preserving Natural Patina

Oil finishes let patina continue developing. Film finishes like polyurethane slow or stop the process by blocking UV light and air. Choose based on whether you want the piece to continue aging.

Cleaning aged surfaces requires care. Harsh chemicals can strip patina that took years to develop. Gentle cleaning with mild soap preserves the aged character while removing dirt.