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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 [affil link] 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
(Ted can offer longterm or instant help)
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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