FAQ'S, NEW PRODUCTS, QUESTIONS & ANSWERS, SPECIALTY FINISHES, TIPS & TRICKS, UNIQUE FINISHES
Frequently Asked Questions
Apr
ASK BILL ANYTHING!
Bill Worden, Owner-Founder
STEEL F/X PATINAS™
ANSWER: Hi Robert,
It’s called a “Ball-Vise” and you don’t need one with tons of accessories, unless you’re doing jewelry. I clamp a magnetic bar in mine to support my piece, but they’re not great for pieces over 14″ X 14″ or so. Comes in Real Handy Though…I’ve had Mine For 20+ Years & Use it Frequently. Thanks, Bill
To use any 2-part automotive clear, PPG DELTRON DC3000 included, you will need a decent-quality gravity-fed (cup on top), clear-coat gun equipped with a 1.3mm needle, fluid tip & nozzle. I have a really nice, yet affordable spray-gun for clear-coat on my site, HERE.
And, it’s Important to Know That You Can Use a 1.3mm Gun, (like the AirGunsa®/Iwata® Clear-Coat Gun Below), For Other Solvent-Based Paints, as Well! I’ve even shot 2-Part, Bare Metal Epoxy Primer through my Gun With Great Results!
I use this exact gun & I love it. I have other clear-coat guns by Iwata & 3M® that were all over $600 each, and none of them are better. You may be able to find it or something similar for less, I don’t know off-hand. Just make sure whatever you buy is ‘Gravity Feed’ (tank on top, as shown in the photo above).
Fair Warning: If you buy Clear-Coat & Hardener locally, especially from a dealer that caters to the body-shop guys, they will tell you it won’t work on bare steel. They’re trained in the automotive collision market and have ‘primer, base-coat and clear-coat embedded in their brains’).
Trust me, it will adhere and look wet and crystal clear, just as it would over a base (color) coat. Thanks, Bill
Question: I was wondering if you have a catalog of your art files and your patina products for coloring steel? I find this stuff very interesting. Thank you, Steve. S.
Answer: STEEL F/X Patinas & Dyes are Found Only on This Site. You Will Not Find Them at Any Retail Outlets or Steel Yards.
Question: Applying Dyes.
Hello, If you were to use a paintbrush to apply dyes, would it leave streaks? Does it dry up in airbrushes and would need some sort of thinner? Thanks, Ryan
Answer by Bill:
Hi Sonny,
QUESTION: Hi Bill. Is there any way that I can produce a patina that will give the color pictured below, or will I have to rely on dyes, etc?
I love your site and I enjoy the videos you post. I was hoping you could help me with a question. I’m looking for a sage green patina for 22 gauge mild steel. I’ve attached a photo of a steel cactus which has the color I’m going for. It’s galvanized steel and the makers claim that the patina will not rust any further except around the spot welds. Thanks for your help. Rick
Hi Rick
The finish in the photo appears to be a faux finish or painted surface. A Sage Green is tough with patinas, at least mine…as they do not contain any pigments. I can help you get the type of finishes shown below on Steel or Copper.
BLAZE F/X™ Patina also gives a very unique ‘aged copper’ look to Copper or Brass.
If you’re trying to get an actual Copper Verdigris finish, it’s doable, but a little more complex. It involves sprinkling copper or bronze powder onto a a wet clear-coated surface. You let that dry for a couple of hours, sand lightly with a white or gray 3M® Scotch-Brite pad, #000 or #0000 steel wool or 400 or 600-grit Wet-or-Dri (3M®) sandpaper, then applying COPPER VERDE™or BLAZE F/X™, keeping wet for 2 to 3 applications and waiting 8-24 hrs.
The single stage patina: RED COPPER MULTI F/X™, won’t give you a true Verdigris finish by itself, although the colors are very unique and can include some green, although it’s mostly the early stages of flash-rust. It will look a little different on shiny steel as opposed to a matte, sand-blasted finish.
Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks, Bill
Bill,
You haven’t discussed what becomes of the rinse water. As the water neatralizes the acids, does it become hazardous at all, or are you still simply letting it run down the gutter?
Thanks
Hi Gene,
The patinas have very, very little acid in them. Some patinas have no acid at all, and some are so low in acid that they are measured in PPM.
Rinsing & Neutralization & Evaporation will further dilute all of the constituents in the formulas & causes no harm to the soil, ground-water or waste-water systems.
The patinas are odorless, will not burn your skin or irritate your respiratory system. All of my patinas are used as “cold method” application. Some other patinas on the market require the metal to be heated or fumed, which is a protagonist for fumes, contact, inhalation & other health & safety concerns.
I choose not to make or sell products that are dangerous to health or environment.
Unless you are using hundreds of gallons of patina products per day, there is no cause for contamination or safety concerns.
Always err on the side of caution & wear PPE, when using any chemicals. Store containers away from pets & children, as with any household products that contain chemicals. And, if large amounts of run-off are anticipated, follow the guidelines of your appropriate State or Local agencies for review of SDS info & suggested protocol, if any.
You are welcome to view the SDS info on all products at: http://steelfxpatinas.com/steel-fx-patinas-sds/
If you have any further questions, please let me know.
thanks,
Bill
Do you send to Australia I’d be happy to spend enough with you to make it worth your while, your products look amazing!
I’m opening a sculpture garden at my gallery and would love to use your product on some of my sculptures to give them that point of difference. Kind regards Michael
Ps would love to talk to you if possible, what’s the best number to contact you on, thank you!
G’day Michael,
Yes, we ship internationally. My direct line is 1-435-668-7244.
My email is bill@steelf-x.com
Look forward to working with you!
thanks,
Bill