[TheForge] Patina on steel, PROBLEM

[Grover.Richardson at gtri.gatech.edu]

You probably know this, but I have to mention for the others that may
not know.  But metal reacts differently depending upon the "makeup" of
the metal.  For example, the cast iron likely will not take on the same
quality of patina as the forged metal.  As well, if there is a weld, the
weld may be yet another formula of iron/steel and may have different
looks totally.

Test patina on left over pieces would be the first thing I would do<G>.

Good luck. 

~>-----Original Message-----
~>From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
~>[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Cindy and James
~>Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 8:14 AM
~>To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
~>Subject: [TheForge] Patina on steel, PROBLEM
~>
~>Sculpt Nouveau sells DVD's on patinas.  I've ordered all 3, 
~>we shall see, hopefully... as we are pretty much in the dark 
~>right now.  No joking. 
~>
~>A series of public domain patina formulas can be obtained by 
~>entering "patina" in Google.  I took 3 college courses in 
~>chemistry about 40 years ago.  I remember enough to know that 
~>some of this stuff can be seriously harmful to your health.  
~>be careful.
~>
~>Here's my dilemma.
~>
~>I have worked for some time to create a king size bed for a 
~>client.  It was designed by a professional designer/artist.  
~>The artist is not terribly concerned with my difficulties in 
~>obtaining the look that she wants in the final product.  That 
~>being said, I am being well paid so I am not complaining too 
~>loudly.  But first, a general description.
~>
~>It is all steel and weighs around 500 lbs.  The posts and 
~>feet are 4" sq tube layered on the corners w/ 2 sizes of 
~>angle iron, other dimensions at the top and bottom form 
~>capitols and feet.  Topped with cast iron 
~>Fleur-de-les.   The headboard is a multi layered sheet of 14 ga mild 
~>steel plate w/ multi layers of various dimensions at the top. 
~> The sheet was heavily textured using a "small 8 lb sledge".  
~>In the center of the headboard is a crest.  It looks like a 
~>coat of arms with a Fleur-de-les at the top, a steel back, a 
~>dome about 10 or so inches long that is heavily textured with 
~>age (I found it buried under a defunct (removed) factory 
~>where it had been for many years) with a letter B formed out 
~>of 1/2" square bar (solid).  Bed rails and supports are 
~>2x3x1/4 angle.  
~>Held together w/ 1"x3/8" fine thread cap screws and grade 8 bolts.
~>
~>We (the designer/artist and I) and have spent several days 
~>working to obtain the "look" she wants.  She has to be 
~>involved as I don't know what she wants and these patinas, 
~>etc. especially the chemical ones, may appear at one moment 
~>and be gone the next depending on what you do.  We had it 
~>down yesterday, finally, she was thrilled.  The bed had been 
~>"rusted" with various colors and had a very "Baronial" or 
~>Medieval look.  Generally, it looked as if it came from a 
~>castle in Germany.  All was good.
~>
~>Then I clear coated it.  Oh, I should say that we used 
~>various chemicals trying to get the "look", but we followed 
~>the instructions.  The clear coat was a Minwax spar urethane, 
~>clear satin, applied with a sprayer.  
~>Well, the urethane left the patina on the posts pretty much 
~>alone, some darkening.  But the headboard turned DARK and it 
~>seemed to absorb all the patina.  It certainly did lose most 
~>of the 300 year old look.  My designer is sick.  So am I, we 
~>had a home run but have been ruled out at home plate!
~>
~>We will look at it this morning after sitting all night.  
~>Maybe some of it came back or is visible.  If not, back to 
~>square one.  Likely will have it sandblasted or paint with 
~>paint remover and pressure wash.  
~>Start over.
~>
~>Any ideas on what happened?  What we did wrong?  What we 
~>should have done?
~>
~>I have one thought here... what about the mill scale on the 
~>14 ga sheet?  Could that have caused part of the problem?  we 
~>did not remove it as she liked the way it looked in the background.
~>
~>James Allcorn
~>Blacksmith, Paris Texas
~>
~>> 
~>----------------------------------------------------------------------
~>> --
~>>
~>> Today's Topics:
~>>
~>>    1. RE: Interesting site for patinas (Mark A. Pesetsky)
~>>   
~>>
~>>  More:
~>> http://www.sciencecompany.com/patinas/patinaformulas.htm
~>>
~>> 
~>http://chemistryfortheimagination.com/sculpt-nouveau-universal-patina/
~>>
~>> Mark
~>>
~>>
~>> Hey Everyone,
~>>
~>> I came across this site. IT covers a wide range of 
~>chemistry, safety, 
~>> and patinas......
~>>
~>> http://www.dedalusenviro.com/
~>>
~>> Check it out!
~>>
~>> Ray Miller
~>> Cincinnati
~>>
~>>
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