Crossword Genius

A paint surface? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

patina

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'surface?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'a paint' is the wordplay.
'a paint' anagrams to 'PATINA'.
However, I am not clear how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for patina that I've seen before include "well-worn surface" , "A surface gloss produced by age" , "thin coating" , "Fine coating on surface" , "Brownish surface film on old bronze" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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