Preserving natural metal finish on woven metals

[astro_al]

Hi, I'm making a piece of furniture with 'woven' strips of various metals (copper, stainless, bronze etc), I need to preserve the polished finish of the strips, so I'm looking for a coating or something.

The other issue is - do I coat before 'weaving' and risk cracking / scraping it while using the prepped materials, or just spray the whole thing when its done and risk missing bits???

Cheers, Al.

 

[astro_al]

73 views and no inputs?

Anybody even going to guess?

Cheers, Al. - Help!

 

[madkayaker]

what about hot wax finish applied when built?

 

[Hitch]

I think you would have a hard time weaving strips of metal without the odd scratch.

Put it all together and a quick whip over with a polishing mop, then clear lacquer?

Not sure about how the wax finish would react with copper etc...

 

[astro_al]

Thanks guys, I've never tried hot wax on copper / bronze / brass etc. I'd also be worried about discolouration from the heat.

Current thinking is to coat it all first, then put the strips in place, then zip over any bits that got scratched. Not sure though...

Al.

 

[Robotstar5]

Clear powder coating?

 

[English Steve]

Current thinking is to coat it all first, then put the strips in place, then zip over any bits that got scratched. Not sure though...

I don't think you'd hide the damage that way Al. Once it's scratched, clear laquer is a ****** to repair. I'd be inclined to go with Hitches plan and assemble first.

 

[Chipper]

Any piccies? Would help with an idea of use, size, will they flex, what they got to stand up to etc.

 

[vin]

weaving strips

I cant help with your problem but the idea sounds great, would be nice to see when finished

 

[jaykay]

there was a product for coating brass/copper.
it was called "joy" used to get it from model shop.
if you can get it,it works really well.
the draw back was it came in small bottles.i'd buy 1/2 dozen and put it a spray gun.

 

[chunkolini]

Hmmm
A difficult one indeed. Is it going to live indoors or outside? I have almost a phobia about paint. Clear coating is beter but which one?
For indoors I have done well using Jade oil, cheap, smells weird and leaves a thin resin coating, two or three coats have done well. Can be bought from Axminster Tools, or decent hardware stores have a box of it covered in dust because nobody knows what it is.
Lacquer? horrid stuff scratches and looks coated and too shiny.
I have tried a lacquer caled 'Coovar' hard wearing but it still looks lacquered.

None of the materials mentioned rust, so this might be just what you need. Photo PLEASE!!!

Chunko'.