Hi Y'all...I'm doing a sign for a shop called Wellness Within and I would like to include leaves (probably Maple) fabricated out of sheet metal with a bronze finish. I remember an article in Signcraft (I think) but haven't been able to find it. Do you know where to find it or have a technique?
[ November 02, 2009, 05:55 PM: Message edited by: Terry Baird ]
Posted by Sandy Baird (Member # 4773) on :
Terry,
what about using copper sheet for the leaves and then doing a chemical wash to add aging and that green tint to it. A nice fall feel, and the colour would look great with that store front.
Posted by William DeBekker (Member # 3848) on :
Terry, Yes I remember that article, Like you I can't remember if it was Signcraft or Sign Business. But a quick rundown if I remember everything right.
If you have a router route out the leaves in a negative format in MDF. Then using a soft face hammer. Like a machinist hammer with leather pad/faces. They beat the copper or alum into the form then cut off the excess.. I think the person was using alum flashing or old printing plates.
Had to duplicate some old tin ceiling tiles for a client.
I have done it similar with plastic and a 2 piece mold but heating up the plastic and pressing/Clamping the two sheets together. Poor mans vacuum forming but with detail on both sides.
[ November 02, 2009, 11:13 AM: Message edited by: William DeBekker ]
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
I don't remember the SignCraft thingie but I do remember making copper leaves both in school and toy bought thingies Posted by Ted Turner (Member # 2799) on :
I'm making an HDU sign right now using this process. You can make anything that will accept paint (acrylic latex) look like bronze, copper, brass, iron, pewter, or silver. They have several patinas that work on their paint (which is very tough, long lasting outdoors, and contains real metal so the patina is not fake) or the patinas can be used on real metal. You seal the paint with Permalac which stops the patina reaction when it gets to where you want it.
Posted by Tony Vickio (Member # 2265) on :
Terry, I refinished a sign in Corning a few years ago and it had forged flowers and leaves. No one knew who did them only that he was from "around here". I never found him but I am still looking!!
Posted by Terry Baird (Member # 3495) on :
Thanks guys, good feedback. Tony, isn't there a makers mark on that somewhere? Geez... Makers Mark, now I'm thirsty...hehe.
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