JAZ
01-10-2004, 07:20 AM
After reading Araich's thread about the Aluminum coating, which I have no experience with, I thought of mentioning something else about preserving surfaces. In October, 2003 I went to a two-day workshop at the Compleat Sculptor in Manhattan with a friend. It was run by Ron Young, who produces a line of patinas for bronze, aluminum, copper and even steel. He talked about his products and the other lines of patinas available. We were able to try some out on sample plates he provided and he did some demonstrating. A lot of it was to show the amazing range of colors and effects that can be achieved with patinas, and I've since seen some pieces that were probably done that way. I am not as interested in that because sometimes it begins to feel like creating faux finishes, which I'm not interested in. What I want to know is how to protect the metal from rusting, since I mostly use mild steel, at least so far.
The bottom line thought I got from the workshop that could be potentially be useful is that Ron Young said that if you use his wax over whatever patina or coating you use, then just maintain the wax over time, the surface would last forever outdoors. There are waxes made by several companies, but his is so far the only one that has UV protectors and in the waxes made for steel, rust inhibitors. By recoating the wax every six months, then removing it and applying fresh wax every two years the patina would not be affected by weathering.
His waxes also come in colors. They can be puchased online at www.compleatsculptor.com
This may sound like a commercial, but it's not. I have no connection to Ron Young or the Compleat Sculptor (which is a store for sculpture supplies) at all.
Also, one suggestion he had is that when you sell a piece intended for outdoors, think about trying to get the buyer to agree to a maintenance contract for you. You would do the wax maintenance for a certain amount of money. A covenience for the buyer, assurance for you that yur piece would be treated well and a little extra income guaranteed over time. Sounds like a good thought if the sculpture is located sometwhere you are willing to go, or if you can hire an assistant to do it for you.
The bottom line thought I got from the workshop that could be potentially be useful is that Ron Young said that if you use his wax over whatever patina or coating you use, then just maintain the wax over time, the surface would last forever outdoors. There are waxes made by several companies, but his is so far the only one that has UV protectors and in the waxes made for steel, rust inhibitors. By recoating the wax every six months, then removing it and applying fresh wax every two years the patina would not be affected by weathering.
His waxes also come in colors. They can be puchased online at www.compleatsculptor.com
This may sound like a commercial, but it's not. I have no connection to Ron Young or the Compleat Sculptor (which is a store for sculpture supplies) at all.
Also, one suggestion he had is that when you sell a piece intended for outdoors, think about trying to get the buyer to agree to a maintenance contract for you. You would do the wax maintenance for a certain amount of money. A covenience for the buyer, assurance for you that yur piece would be treated well and a little extra income guaranteed over time. Sounds like a good thought if the sculpture is located sometwhere you are willing to go, or if you can hire an assistant to do it for you.