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Q&As since 1989
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How to do antique bronze finish
Q. Hi,
I am a furniture maker in Vermont. I normally work in wood, but have been offered a commission to make a desk supported by two square metal columns. I have someone local who can fabricate these for me, but I am having difficulty finding someone who can finish them. The finish specified is "Antique Bronze". If was to do this finish myself, how would I go about it?
Thanks for any advice you can give.
John.
- Whiting, Vermont
February 19, 2009
A. Hi, John. It depends on what metal you make the posts from and whether you need a real metal surface or just a powder coating that looks metallic. If the posts will actually be made of brass, bronze, or copper, you can darken them with brass darkening solution [on eBay or Amazon] or liver of silver, then lightly buff the highlights to lighten up the edges and corners. If the posts will be steel, you must send them to a plating shop as you cannot do the required electroplating yourself. Or you can send them to a powder coater who offers this shade, although the powder coating will not be quite realistic.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
February 20, 2009
Ted,
Thanks for the information. I am following up with a local fabricator who has powder coating capability. We are planning on sending a sample of 1/8" steel with powder coat finish to the designer. If they don't like, it we can take a look at electroplating or fabricating from bronze.
John Lomas
- Whiting, Vermont
February 25, 2009
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