10 replies to this topic

[moose]

Greetings all,
Has anyone used saturated pickle solution to put a copper plating on steel? If I clear coat it how sturdy will the plating be in an outdoor setting?

Thanks

moose

[PTsideshow]

It is what is called flash plated and will not hold up inside or out, it is very very thin!
I should have added with handling or wear

[Tony Mertens]

I've got a test piece that's lasted about 6 months inside with Permalac. Not sure how long it will last. You can do the same thing with copper sulfate.

Tony

[AvishaiW]

The copper layer created using pickling solution or copper sulphate will rub very easily with your fingers.

[Tony Mertens]

I've got railings that were done with copper sulfate and aged with PC-9 that are sprayed with Permalac that have been installed for several years that are holding up. I just looked at a bell I made with the same finish last year, still looks like new. Of course it is not the same as real copper for longevity and appearance. At some point the laquer will break down and the metal will rust. Like anything else it is all in how much maintenance you want to deal with and the effect you are after.

[blboise]

I've got railings that were done with copper sulfate and aged with PC-9 that are sprayed with Permalac that have been installed for several years that are holding up. I just looked at a bell I made with the same finish last year, still looks like new. Of course it is not the same as real copper for longevity and appearance. At some point the laquer will break down and the metal will rust. Like anything else it is all in how much maintenance you want to deal with and the effect you are after.

I've had the same experience as Tony. I have some inside pieces that I plated with a copper sulfate solution (septic tank root killer dissolved in plain water) and double coated with Krylon clear. Been hanging on the wall now for a couple of years and look fine. But outside is a different matter.

I'd say if you get a good layer the first time from having an extremely clean surface, then dry and immediately coat, it should last a reasonable time inside. Outside, as soon as your clear goes or rust comes from below, well, nothing stands well to rust. I think my clear coating breaks down not just with the UV, but the shrink/swell of the metal from direct sun and then cooling.

I can say though that I sometimes find it a challenge to get the plating to stick initially. Warm metal before soaking seems to help, as does maybe a little brushing while in solution. I have had it peel right off when I dried it with compressed air! But I do like the effect so I keep trying!

Here is a tree cut out of disc blade. I think it's 4 years old and is just fine -- but it is inside.


Here is a rhino that I hit with heat before clear coating. Again, inside stuff though. It also has been around with no ill deterioration for a couple of years.



Good Luck,

Bob

Edited by blboise, 23 June 2012 - 07:40 AM.

[moose]

Well I put one of the butterflies in the solution for many minutes. The coating seems to have stuck well. I toweled it dry after a rince and non e rubbed off, I applied several coats of clear. We wil see how it holds up! Wifey really likes the copper look so she got it

I usually coat them with a "candy" paint to reflect the ground pattern in the base metal.

Thanks for all the replies.

moose

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 
• 

[Tony Mertens]

They look good. Let us know what they look like a year from now.

On some pieces where I thought about using this proccess it turned out that with the extra labor and uncertainties it was just easier and cheaper to use real copper.

[moose]

They look good. Let us know what they look like a year from now.

On some pieces where I thought about using this proccess it turned out that with the extra labor and uncertainties it was just easier and cheaper to use real copper.

The candy painted ones I have had outside for 2+ years and they still look good. The one I did with the copper plating was just a lark kinda trial. I had the saturated pickle and the wife wanted a copperish butterfly so why not..... It is not something I would probably do to add to the sale table. I will probably make a few from copper just to try.

moose

[AvishaiW]

Looks good so far. Please keep us posted.

[blboise]

I can see no reason why they won't last as long as the painted ones -- maybe a bit longer as I've found some of the "candy" Krylon paint to fade in the sun. The clear coat should do as well or better. While copper won't rust, I'm not sure you wouldn't get oxidation and loss of the bright color when the clear flaked or cracked. And if you didn't clear coat the copper ones, outside they'd tarnish quickly I would think.

Nice job.