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Howya & greetings from Ireland. I need to know the surest & safest way to protect Silver Leaf on routed letters from the ravages of the wild & wooly weather that blesses West Cork & enviorns Slainte, Declan Newman, Skibbereen.
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I think the real only way to avoid trouble is to NOT use it at all. (Like never) A clear will probably minimalize the tarnishing on an interior (only) sign, but out side, I wouldn't trust it.
Use alumunum leaf instead, it will not tarnish. OR... if your budget can afford it, PALADIUM (did I spell it right???) leaf.
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Declan, If I had to clear silver, the only way I would feel moderately confident is with 2 part automotive clear. If you haven't already applied the leaf, I would use aluminum leaf & clear with frog juice only if necessary. Paladium would be an alternative, as it would not tarnish like silver, but is a bit more pricey. Good luck, Jeff
-------------------- Jeffrey P. Lang Olde Lang Signs Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Last night I was watching the Discovery channel, in particular the biker build off contests, between Indian Larry and the others.
Some of his paint job included sliver leaf, but I guess the clear automotive finish over the top would protect it enough. It was a neat show, and showed some neat pinheads working on the paint end of the projects.
[ January 06, 2004, 01:42 PM: Message edited by: Dave Draper ]
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I've been advised against silver because it tarnishes. My thought might be white gold. I was also told the clear will fail before the leaf does, if the leaf is applied correctly.
As for what they use on motorcycles, I've never met anyone with a bike who would let it sit outside in the weather year-round.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Deccy, good to see you here! How are things in the Wild West?
Silver is chemically unstable, which is why it turns black to begin with. White gold is a viable alternative. It will tarnish VERY slowly, so clearing it is a matter of your situation. If it faces south and gets strong sun... (what am I saying? Sun? In Ireland?) You shouldn't have a big problem with UV breaking down a good clear in your lovely Skibbereenian climate. I'd save the money and use aluminum leaf unless its a very high-end client who can tell the difference.
Politics? Everyone knows the Irish can't be bothered with arguing over politics...
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Da.a...rn, wish I knew this last week. Took a bunch of art store christmas gift certificates for a ride. Got another book of imitation gold (loose), my first book of real gold (un-loose)... Saw the silver (patent) and Alum. (loose)and figured what the hey and paid the extra for the silver instead of alum. Well now I know. Just for play purposes anyway.
-------------------- Compulsive, Neurotic, Anti-social and Paranoid ... but basically Happy Posts: 2677 | From: Rochester, NY, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hey Declan... After a couple-three Guinness, nobody will notice a little tarnish anyway! You can just say it's the wearin o the green. Love- JILL ps...next time you pass Sunmount B&B...please stop in & say Hi to Paddy & Jane for me.
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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What makes white gold white is high silver content. The only way to use it for long term is doing a water gild on glass. Backed up well keeps the air away from it. Gold and silver are always together in nature - one must be destroyed to save the other - 24 kt gold has had all the silver removed. I've never used paladium - aluminum will oxidize in time, but not turn black. Frog Juice is Krylon clear and I've had it fail in short time. Use the best clear you can find - I've been told there is no such thing as UV protection in clears ??? Maybe a good spar varnish or automotive clear? I used to use DuPont automotive clear enamel and it would last a few years here in the desert - don't know if it's still available? ____________________________________________
Sinn Fein
[ January 06, 2004, 09:21 PM: Message edited by: Mike Languein ]
Posts: 1859 | From: / | Registered: Nov 1998
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A big thank you to all you letterheads for your help with my query. I think I will have to try aluminium leaf and maybe a coat of frog juice.It is good to hear from you Cam & Jeff Lang too.Miles, you were spot on about Letterheads, they do know everything about our craft. Jill, I will call in to Paddy & Jane and say Hi and let you know how they are getting on Slainte from the wild & woolly West Cork. Dec.
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May I dip in here a moment? The solution has already been discussed, but seems to have been passed over. The process I use has served me well since it came along, two stage automotive clears. I brush it on and have many jobs on street for many years, still looking good,(as good as leaf can look cleared over) The other good tip is about the leaf it's self, use the aluminum !!! It lasts longer,(over 7 yrs. on local dirt truck), and costs less, plus is easier to work....my two cents
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
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Hey Mike, I knew I liked your politics. Some of us amarikins pay a little attention to the rest of the world. FTQ
-------------------- Mike Pulskamp Pulskamp Arts Sacramento, CA mpulskamp@earthlink.net Posts: 165 | From: Sacramento, CA | Registered: Dec 2002
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