I let my client look at a Gemini catalog and he picked out a metal finish for his dimensional letter project that is not outdoor durable. It's a variegated rust finish. This project is in the Southwest and he wants something rustic in going with the environmental theme. Gemini says the Cor Ten steel finish he chose would bleed all over the background, which I definitely agree with. I'm looking for some suggestions on a product that would have this kind of variegated finish and be outdoor durable. I've looked at Chemetal but they have the phenolic backer on their product and are not for outdoors either. It's been a while since I've had to search for special materials like this and alot of the sources that I remember are gone and forgotten.
Posted by Tony McDonald (Member # 1158) on :
maybe you could cut the letters from rusty steel, and clear them so it stays that way and doesn't bleed on your background.
Posted by Sherye Bergmann (Member # 3067) on :
That is a good thought. I may see what I can come up with here locally first. The clear coat may modify the original colors somewhat. I may have to do some experimenting.
Thanks!
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
Sherye, As long as you're playing around, you could experiment with acrylic paints and sponges. Various colors are available in the rust and dirt color range. Play with randomly sponging on various shades. Google "RUST" and check out pictures.....try to simulate the look.
You can put on a UV resistant clearcoat to finish it off and give it some gloss.
Street Rodder magazine shows some photos of some rat rods that have rust painted over and fake rust like I mentioned, called Patina. Play around.
Posted by Dan Beach (Member # 9850) on :
I'm not sure you will be able to get a clearcoat to stick to rust, especially long term. It would just lift off in sheets after awhile and look like total junk.
Can you offset the letters so they don't bleed down the panel?
Posted by Sherye Bergmann (Member # 3067) on :
I thought about mounting them with spacers to avoid the problem too Dan, that's another possibility. Don't know what the long term outcome would be using raw material that is unsealed though. I think I may be in for breaking out the sponges and such like Dale suggested and playing around with some faux finishes. Not what I wanted to spend my time on but it may be the only solution. It just seems that there used to be so much more available out there in terms of creative materials some years back. When I went to look for laminates, ect. I was surprised that most of the suppliers have eliminated so much and gone to such generic inventory. Almost like there's no more imagination out there anymore...just an observation. I'm going to roll my sleeves up and see what I can come up with.
Thanks!
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
There are a number of paints that can be pickled to give patina finishes. Modern Masters has a line, as well as Sophisticated Finishes. The patina can be cleared over with their clear coatings. We've used them and gotten cool effects. Sawatzky uses these types of finishes for many of his creations.
Posted by Dan Beach (Member # 9850) on :
As for raw materials, I've seen 1/8" sheet steel outside for years holding up just fine.
Any thinner and I think the life goes down alot.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Sculpt Noveau also has a series of paints and glazes to imitate various patinas.
Posted by Sherye Bergmann (Member # 3067) on :
Both the Modern Masters and Sophisticated Finishes products are great! There are so many possibilities with both of them. I shouldn't have any problem coming up with something creative using these. Thanks for the tip!
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Sculpt Nuveau would do the trick. Very easy to use too.
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
I love the real-steel, naturally metal letters idea . . . especially if you can get them cut from 1/2" plate . . . but as for staining/bleeding on a background . . . you would need to clear them, and I don't think they make a matt clear that is long-lasting for exterior use . . .
Also, consider Gemini's aluminum letters if you need 'solid', heavy looking letters: sand, and use adhesion promoter and automotive primers and matts with the sponging affects in the proper rust colours, no clear 'cause shiny things don't look rustic. The primers will hold up well enough for several years.
You could jig the aluminum letters out of .080 aluminum and so the same thing if you don't need thick letters.
Wow, this sounds like an op to have fun and be creative!!
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
Just to see how far you can go with this rust-o look, check this out. This is a NEW car, with a fiberglass body, made to look dilapidated. And it does. I can't myself imagine anyone wanting to do this to a high dollar machine; but it's definitely different Posted by Sherye Bergmann (Member # 3067) on :
Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I'm leaning towards the Sculpt Noveau products. They have a long term outdoor durable clear that's they say doesn't alter the matte finish appearance. The variety of patinas to choose from is good and the finish you can achieve is very realistic. I'm going to reconfirm the coloring with my client and then move on to experimenting. Thanks again to all!
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Hey Dale... that rusty finish is his anti theft device. Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
You got that right, Dave! They actually took a hammer to the gas tank and side frame rails and banged them up. Took drills and grinders and put holes and pitting in the body...just beat it all up, before painting. They even mixed metal filings and dirt in some of the paint for "effect".
Gotta be some serious 'dain bramage' goin' on.
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Where is Jake....I'm curious about the rusted metal project he posted about a while back - how did that go?
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