metallic finishes for turnings?

[Jim Underwood]

Every once in a while I see turnings where someone has used metallic finishes on their turnings. Where do you get these finishes?

The two I'm wondering about most are the verdigree (copper oxide), and rust (iron oxide) finishes.

Others I wonder about are that blackened bronze and copper (Oil rubbed bronze) finishes, and pewter.

And what about gold?

I know I can buy gold, copper, and silver paint at the hardware store, but those finishes always seemed a little cheezy to me. The stuff I've seen used by turners, looks a whole lot better than the stuff I've seen in a spray can...

Any pointers?

[Maria Alvarado]

I seem to remember a top secret Stinson finish that was all the rage a while back...:rolleyes:

[Joshua Dinerstein]

I purchased some metallic powders from Craft Supplies USA a little while back. 1/2 pound for about $8 IIRC. It was to be mixed with some glue to create the look that was desired. They had Aluminum for a nice bright and shiny silvery finish. And then Copper and Brass. Nothing that was blackened or oil-rubbed in look but that would be seriously awesome to figure out how to do.

Not much help I guess but it is the only thing that I have seen. Jimmy Clewes did a Demo that I saw where he mixed some Brass with some epoxy and then smeared it into some grooves he cut into the bowl's rim. Once it had cured he turned away the excess leaving it flush with the surface. The effect was nice.

Joshua

[John Hart]

I don't know Jim...but there's something I've been thinking about a lot lately....

You know that radiator repair powder that you buy at the auto parts store? They make some out of aluminum and some out of copper. For those of you who aren't familiar....You pour these fine powder into your car's radiator and it accumulates at leak points and solidifies there....stopping the leak

Anyway...I was thinking that stuff might make a great metallic enhancer...It's not like glitter...it's a powder.

I've seen some versions of it suspended in a liquid and it is almost iridescent.

Sorry...just babbling

[Steve Schlumpf]

Jim - I know of a couple of guys that do that kind of work. You may have to dig a little to find out exactly how but I know it is usually a series of solutions and in some cases its actually metal leaf of some sort - like the gold/silver you mentioned.

Check out Terry Scott:http://www.timberly.co.nz/

Also, David Marks: http://www.djmarks.com/channels/djmnews.asp

[John Keeton]

Jim, during my recent exhibit, one of the visitors was a sign maker I know and respect as a true artist. This fellow does a lot of sculpting on 3-D signs, lot of original art, etc. His first comment was - man, some of that would look great with burnished gold leaf!! We talked a little, and I intend to follow up with him. He has the material and expertise.

I would suggest, in addition to the above, that you seek out a true sign artist and see if they will talk with you about their technique and material.

[William Hutchinson]

The inside of this is gold leafed. I've been playing around with it to see what effects I can get with different glazes-- as in the second photo.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/wlhutch/Turnings/freeformf.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/wlhutch/Turnings/free-form-web-1.jpg

[Lionel Mercier]

Hello Jim,
Have a look at
http://www.dickblick.com/products/instant-iron-and-instant-rust/
just for rust effect
Enjoy,
Lionel.

[Frank Van Atta]

Several metallic finishes are available in rattle cans at Home Depot, Lowes, Wal-Mart, etc.

[Faust M. Ruggiero]

David Marks has made a name as a wood artist both through his unique designs and also through unique finishes. David uses a lot of precious metals in leaf form then achieves interesting patinas through chemical washes that affect the metals. I am sure his methods are not inexpensive but a visit to his web site will show you they are quite beautiful.
fmr

[Tony Wheeler]

check David out at the Rocky Mountain symposium sept 11, 12 where he will be demoing his patinas

[Dave Carey]

Ditto the comment on David Marks. I saw one of his demonstrations at the AAW Symposium in Hartford. He goes into not only the techniques but also his suppliers. I haven't yet ventured into that world (it appears to be yet another addiction!) but it produces some very interesting results.