Family plaques -- work in progress

[Rcnewcomb]

I'm making plaques for some friends. The Chinese characters mean "family". These were v-Carved in 1" MDF. I plan on priming them and finishing them with Sculpt Nouveau Copper-C with a green patina. Depending on how they turn out I may highlight the letters with copper leaf.

[DDWALKER]

Randall,

I like the design. Nice Job.

I am going to try my hand at using the Sculpt Nouveau finishes. I have some ordered and they will arrive this week. I would love to see yours when the are finished.

-David

[zeeway]

Very cool design. They will look very good with that finish. For Chinese friends?

Angie

[Phil]

Randall, they are very nice. I'm sure the sculpt nouveau finish will look great. I've done a number of projects with a spray stone finish that I think would work well here too.

Phil

[Rcnewcomb]

I've done a number of projects with a spray stone finish that I think would work well here too.

Phil,
I was thinking of that earlier this morning, but I haven't tried stone finishes yet (only worked with real stone). Please tell me a bit more about the process and where you purchase the finishing materials. I may try two in "stone" and the other two in "metal".


Angie,
Some of the friends are Chinese and others work with Chinese coworkers on a daily basis. A common topic of discussion has been about work/life balance. Perhaps having this on their desk or wall will be a reminder of what is important.

[Rcnewcomb]

Copper - first coat

[mikeacg]

I'm looking at adding faux metallic plaques to my list of products when I move to Michigan in a few weeks so I look forward to any advice offered!

Mike

[Paul_n]

Randall,
Really like your design, and choice of copper.

It looks like the surface is rather rough. Are you sealing
the MDF, before the metal coating ?

I've done a number of projects from MDF, and have found
a couple coats of shellac will seal the surface so the SN material
will not pull up the surface, plus allowing the SN to dry without
the MDF pulling all the moisture from the metal coat.

Keep the pictures coming as you go through the finish process.

Regards,
Paul N

[Rcnewcomb]

It looks like the surface is rather rough. Are you sealing the MDF, before the metal coating ?

The photograph makes the surface look much rougher than it is, but I want a somewhat rough finish so I chose not to apply a sealer first. With metal finishes I prefer a surface that is not smooth as glass. I feel like the metal areas reflect better and it yields a more interesting patina than a smooth surface would. That's just my preference.

[Rcnewcomb]

First try with Krylon spray on stone finish. I probably should have sprayed lighter and planned one more coats.

[Rcnewcomb]

I'm looking at adding faux metallic plaques to my list of products when I move to Michigan in a few weeks so I look forward to any advice offered!

I highly recommend the Sculpt Nouveau finishes. They are easy to work with, very few bad gasses and nothing that will give you brain leisions.

Just be sure you don't let them freeze. (AMHIK)

We ordered the Super Kit which lasted a long time and allowed us to figure out what worked in our market. We tended to use the C metals since they polish, but we would do undercoats with the B metals because of the price. We also had an artist give us some initial advice which was helpful.

[milo30]

I like the design. I did a sign for my wife and used a gold for the finish. It had a little rough finish to it and I agree, I like it better than if it had been totally smooth.

[Phil]

Hi Randall,
the first time I tried the spray stone finish I thought the pattern was too dense. I tried using a coat of plain grey paint as an undercoat followed by a much lighter coat of the spray stone. The result was much more realistic.

Phil

[Rcnewcomb]

a coat of plain grey paint as an undercoat followed by a much lighter coat of the spray stone. The result was much more realistic.

That is a great tip. Thanks!

[mikeacg]

Thanks for the info Randall! I'm not going to ask how you know unless it is a funny story and you don't mind telling what you did! I have a nice big basement in the new house so I don't think freezing will ever be an issue for me but I will keep that in mind... I've been wanting to try SN for a while but never had the opportunity. With a whole new client base, I can dictate what I sell, at least in the beginning!
How does that stone finish hold up outside? I'm going to have to learn about cold weather effects all over again after being in NC for about 20 years!