The main areas of application of bronze paint are decoration and restoration work to restore the appearance of antiques. The coating allows you to quickly impart a characteristic metallic shine and special texture to surfaces such as plaster, wood, glass, cardboard, plaster and the metal itself.
The reliability of adhesion of the coating to the painted product depends on the characteristics of the binder. There are several methods for making bronze paint.
Where is bronze powder used?
Bronze powder is added to varnishes with a decorative effect, aerosols, paints for coating cardboard, paper, and the like. Often used to give the surface of an object an antique effect. Bronze powder looks like golden powder.
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Description and purpose
Bronze paint is used for decorative purposes. Using paint and varnish, which gives the painted surface a bronze appearance, you can paint products made of wood (frames, crafts), metal (gates), plaster (figurines), and concrete.
The main ingredient of any bronze paint is bronze powder. The powder is obtained from copper or copper alloy. The crushed metal gives the paintwork a brownish-green golden color. In addition to metal powder, the paint may contain resins, varnishes, and polymers. You can make your own dye based on powder and drying oil.
Types of bronze coatings:
- acrylic (for wood, interior work);
- alkyd (for metal);
- oil (for painting);
- adhesive (for decorative finishing);
- with a hammer effect (to give roughness);
- organosilicon (for metal, concrete);
- in the form of an aerosol (for spraying on a relief surface);
- anti-corrosion (for metal fences);
- heat-resistant (for heated surfaces).
The main feature of bronze paint is its versatility. Paintwork materials can be simultaneously used for painting and protecting the surface from the adverse effects of external factors (moisture, mechanical abrasion, damage). Objects and objects painted in bronze retain their original appearance for several years. The durability of the paint depends on its composition. The most durable coatings are those based on organosilicon and alkyd resins.
Features of preparing bronze paint
The type of binder largely determines the properties of the future product and affects its final cost. Such a physical property as transparency is also taken into account. For example, for painting wooden surfaces, it is recommended to choose a transparent wood varnish as a binding element, while varnishes for external use are suitable for stone monuments.
The amount of the second component - bronze powder - affects the degree of external similarity of the surface of the product to real bronze. Increasing the proportion of powder gives the coating a more intense, rich color. The optimal composition is characterized by the consistency of thick sour cream, but varies depending on the type of painting work. It is recommended to bring the paint to the desired state with turpentine, solvent or white spirit.
Turpentine is needed to make the bronze paint perfect.
Nuances when working with material
It is quite difficult to work with this type of paint like bronze due to the following reasons:
- To extend the service life of the product, it is necessary to increase the ductility of the coating.
- When applying, it is recommended to apply the composition in a thin layer and rub thoroughly with a brush or sponge.
- If the paint is made on the basis of nitro varnish, higher speed will be required. This material thickens and dries very quickly.
- In certain situations, it is recommended to adjust the concentration of the material by adding powder to it until the optimal result is obtained.
- When working with metal products, care should be taken to protect them from corrosive changes by pre-treating them with a primer.
- For bronze paint, a hard natural brush is suitable.
- It is not necessary to prepare the material yourself: purchased paint in aerosol cans greatly simplifies the process.
Material for work
If you follow the rules, you will get a high-quality, durable coating that gives the product a modern look or restores the spirit of noble antiquity.
Areas of application
The material has become widespread and is actively used both in urban construction and in everyday life. The most popular purposes that bronze powder serves include:
Decorating a lamp with bronze paint
- decorative works;
- printing and cosmetics industry;
- paint and varnish industry;
- pencil production.
Bronze paint can also act as the main component for paper coating and colorful labels.
Bronze-colored paint is often found on parts for boiler rooms, on the surface of ships and sewer pipes, on bridges, fences, and factory radiator systems. This popularity is explained by the advantages that make bronze coating stand out among its competitors.
Benefits of coverage
The advantages of the material come down to two main points - functionality and aesthetics. Reasons why you should pay attention to bronze powder:
Metal powders, what do they give?
- The powder consists of copper, and not its imitation, so the coating actually protects metal surfaces from rust.
- The painted product will last much longer, since bronze paint is highly resistant to moisture.
- Paints and varnishes containing bronze do not fade with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
- Powder-based paint is a non-toxic material.
- Objects coated with bronze look luxurious and can become part of a stylish interior in an antique or classic style.
What oil paints cannot be mixed?
If the table helped you with mixing paints, then there is also a table that will tell you which paints it is not advisable to mix with each other . Why? Yes, because it can cause the paint to crack, darken or smudge the color in oil painting. I hope this table of unwanted art oil paint mixtures helpful!
An artist must know how and what colors can be mixed and what colors cannot be mixed. I think this article provides expanded answers to these questions.
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Raw materials for bronze paint
The production of material is classified as an industrial process. Bronze color is obtained by mixing two components: bronze powder, or powder, with a binding element, which can be:
- glue;
- varnish for wood or metal;
- gelatin;
- egg powder and other substances.
In addition to the two basic components, the paint contains paraffin and stearic acid. These additional components prevent the sticking and oxidation of fine fractions.
Getting the powder
Bronze powder is produced by grinding pure copper or its alloys with the addition of zinc in special ball mills or pneumatic units. The resulting material consists of tiny particles resembling thin petals, the color of which can vary from golden to bright red.
Bronze casting art
In the process of preparing paint, the manufacturer strives for the highest possible hiding power. The highest grade powder is considered to be the one that, when sifted through a sieve No. 0.045, leaves less than 1% of its mass on its surface. 1 gr. This material can cover 4500 cm2. For its production, only zinc alloys are used, and not pure copper.
All bronze coatings are marked according to GOST: the classification includes material for paint, printing, offset printing, pencil production, jewelry, vacuum powder insulation. This division was introduced in order to distinguish between different categories of powder, as they have a unique set of physical properties.
Coloring methods
For each specific case, the most suitable operating mode is selected. Conventionally, all painting work is divided into two types: painting of smooth and embossed surfaces. The most common method of applying bronze paint is spraying.
Spraying method
The method is effective when processing products with simple relief. Sequencing:
Gas flame spraying of bronze
- The first stage is the standard preparation of the working surface to ensure good adhesion to the paint layer.
- The gauze is folded into several layers, bronze powder is poured into it, then it is tied with a strong knot.
- A binder is applied to the product using foam rubber or lint-free cloth.
- After applying the layer of adhesive component, shake the prepared bundle with powder over the surface.
In some cases, during initial preparation it is necessary to use a fire retardant coating. The technology is based on the fact that the smallest fractions of bronze paint fall on the product, while the larger ones remain in the gauze.
Despite the labor intensity, the main advantage of the method is that the binder will not overlap the bronze particles, which makes it possible to achieve the most natural imitation of metal. During the application of the binder material, it is necessary to ensure that no foreign inclusions remain on the product - this will significantly reduce the quality of the finished coating.
Painting products with complex relief
Embossed surfaces can be a real headache if you don't know how to work with them. Difficulties arise from the need to emphasize or deepen the outlines of the composition. In such delicate work, artistic skill and the following tips will be useful:
Bronze painting of products
- It is recommended to add a little brown oil-based paint to the oil varnish. The material should remain transparent, but acquire a golden hue.
- Next, you should cover the surface with the resulting composition.
- It is necessary to tilt the working surface so that when spraying the powder falls more on the protruding parts.
This technique guarantees a noticeable contrast between the protruding and recessed elements of the ornament. Painting of smooth surfaces is carried out according to the standard algorithm by spraying or brushing.
By following the recommendations and observing safety measures, it is possible to apply an even, high-quality coating that will last 10 years or more (in contact with air).
