Patination oil
Using patination oil
Patination oil is applied to treat new installed lead.
So what is patination oil?
Patination oil was developed by the UK lead and building industry to prevent unsightly white staining on the lead work itself, or on the surrounding brickwork. That staining is a white carbonate which often occurs on newly-fitted lead when it is exposed to moisture in the air.
The problem isn’t just confined to the lead sheet itself. When it rains, deposits of the carbonate are liable to drip onto materials that are adjacent to, or below the lead.
The good news is, you can prevent this staining very easily…
How do you use patination oil?
Once the lead sheet has been put in place, you should apply the patination oil as soon as possible. Ideally, the same day. If you don’t do it soon enough, any dampness on the surface of the lead will inhibit the effectiveness of the patination oil.
This is all you have to do.
- Ensure the lead is as dry as possible
- Use a soft clean cloth to apply the oil into the lead (a single coat is all you need)
You’ll also find full instructions on the bottle.
The benefits of patination oil
That application of patination oil is all you need to guard against white carbonate deposits. And it’s cost effective too. It works out as just pence per metre.
Patination oil won’t clean any existing grime or stains. However, we also stock an easy-to-use cleaning gel. Then, once you’ve cleaned your lead, we recommend an application of patination oil to finish the job off. Wash down the lead work, then leave it to dry before applying the new coat of patination oil.