Bill,
Would it be uncommon for a tiny bit of rust to form under the clear-coating, mostly on the edges? I have many pieces that have been around a while and have noticed rust that was not there when the piece was finished.
Thanks for your help,
Byron
ANSWER:
Not uncommon at all. Once rust gets a start, it has a way of continuing. As you probably know, the edges of our pieces of plasma-cut steel are the most vulnerable. Film thickness of spray clear or PC clear is thinner on the edges & the right-angle corner of
‘flat to upright’. I try to get a 1.8 mil (or greater) film thickness on the main surface, but on edges that’s virtually impossible without using a detail gun or air-brush. I don’t recommend that however, because it is too time-consuming. I always shoot the perimeter and negative space edges first, then move to the front of the piece.
It’s just one of the little battles we have in steel finishing. You folks that live where it’s really humid have to be even more aware of flash-rust.
Note: Flash rust is powdery, hard to see with the naked eye, but easy to remove with a tack rag, BUT, if present, it acts like a ‘dry release agent’ and can cause air pocket under the clear, thus creating the potential of delamination. (Lifting or Peeling of the top-coat).
One trick you might try is a couple of light coats of BULLDOG® adhesion promoter. Also called a ‘tie-bond adhesive’ It’s a single-stage product, available in aerosol (rattle-can), quarts & gallons with no mixing required. It preps the steel, (or any other non-porous substrate), for a more solid bond between the steel & Clear-Coating. It’s imperative though, to shoot your clear within 7-10 minutes after your application of adhesion promoter.
thanks,
Bill Worden, STEEL F/X®
BILL WORDEN
My name is Bill Worden. I am the founder & owner of STEEL F/X Patinas, which began officially in the fall of 2006.
I had my first exposure to metal-finishing when I was 14 yrs. old. (1968)
My Chemistry teacher showed me how to silver-plate a copper penny without heat or electricity. The whole process, which I found incredibly cool, took only a minute or two. I was hooked on what could be done chemically, to transform the surface of varying metals.
I have been a metalsmith since 1972, working with precious metals originally, and currently focusing primarily on CNC cut steel art and chemically induced Color Case-Hardening of firearms & custom knives.
I have developed many steel patina formulas that react safely with the steel to bring out a myriad of colors & effects without hiding the polished steel beneath.
I have also developed a one-of-a-kind patina, (STAINLESS F/X™), which works equally well on Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel & Copper.
My greatest reward is teaching & helping other metal artisans to produce finished products that are beyond the norm of painting or powder-coating.
I truly love working in the lab, experimenting with what will work & developing new products.
Many of my customers, in a very short time, have become masters of steel patinas on their own work and are producing some heirloom quality works of art!
I live in St. George, Utah with my wife, Kris and my two sons, Tyler & Trevor..
I welcome your calls & emails & will do my very best to provide you with all the help & product innovation possible.
The STEEL F/X® PATINAS Company Motto is "KAI-ZEN", a Japanese word that loosely translates to: "CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT"
Thank you for helping to make STEEL F/X® PATINAS a Reality...Without all of my loyal customers, we wouldn't exist. Keep Up The Good Work!
Bill D. Worden,
STEEL F/X®, LLC
(STEEL F/X® PATINAS)
1.800.710.1273
