Over the years I have tried several brands and types of paint to do charms. Never being satisfied, I continued to purchase Susan Clark’s charms at considerable cost. Her charms are still the best on the market as they look like cloisonné so I would never say to do this as their replacement. However, using the newly released Vintaj Patinas, I can easily paint my own charms, have them look wonderful, and have a larger variety to choose from. Here are a few of the charms I’ve painted and a little about the paint. I am now selling the Vintaj Patinas and Glaze but only after I purchased my own and have had such success with them. I thought you might like them too.
The following are my experiences with the paint, not part of the manufacturers sales pitch:
Opaque Vintaj Patinas are permanent on metal and they dry very, very quickly (I’m talking minutes here.) I use only a small dot that I’ve squeezed out on a piece of plastic. Use a brush and dab it on instead of brushing it out for more thorough coverage or apply a 2nd coat. The paints can be mixed to make other colors. Adding a drop of Glaze will extend them. Clean your brush often with water. You can gently sand the paints off in high spots if you want the brass to show through here and there.
You are finished after painting or you can antique the piece after it’s dry by mixing 3-4 drops of water with 1 drop of the patina color you want. Paint over the entire piece and immediately wipe off the excess with a paper towel. I love using “onyx” for this step (as seen on the fan, the owl, and the key) but, as in the leaves pictured, I used “moss” as the base and “clay” for antiquing. Neither of the bows were antiqued and both were sanded to show some of the brass. The little filigree is just painted with no other steps taken.
Paint over the entire charm if you like with a coat of the Glaze. This also prevents any of the metal you want to have stay it’s true color from changing over time.
