watching paint dry

[Libsam]

A couple of weeks ago I made a wire frame. Well, technically I came up with the design and a friend of mine welded it together... and he bent and cut the steel too... so pretty much I just supervised. BTW, 3.14 is awesome!

http://cdn.fashionablygeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/pie-590x284.jpg?22a92a

Today the temperature outside rose above 60 °F so I jumped on the opportunity to spray paint!!

I've used gold spray paint by krylon and rustoleum on other projects. Kryon's was hideous, it looked yellow/green. Rustoleum's was decent. This time I tried an automotive gold paint, Dupli-Color, the cost is the same as the other brands. I'm pretty happy with the results, the paint had a lot of shiny flake in it, it looks like unfinished brass. I think I could get a more polished result if I used some kind of clear poly coat. I may do that but I need to read-up on it a bit first.

http://i.imgur.com/YR56n23.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/LeW8YCX.jpg

At this point you may be asking yourself, "Libsam, what do you plan on doing with this frame?"

Well, I'm gonna drip some swarovski crystals off the frame, then hardwire the whole thing to my ceiling with antique replica parts. (I've rewired lamps before, don't worry, I know what I'm doing!) The finished project will be a modern/industrial, shabby chic chandelier.

So, does anyone have any recommendations for a clear coat spray paint?

 

[Tathagata]

Purdy
And very creative

 

[Libsam]

Purdy
And very creative

Thanks!

I'll post the end result in a couple weeks, or more... I tend to not rush my projects, I over think them.

I know there are some car guys around here, hoping they can recommend a protective clear coat. This is the only clear spray paint I see on Dupli's site.

https://www.duplicolor.com/images/big/big_effex_clear.jpg

Give non-metallic paint a brilliant glitter effect with Dupli-Color® Effex™. Available as a clear top coat which allows the base color it is applied over to shine through, Effex is formulated with tiny, brilliant-metallic particles that change colors when exposed to various angles of light. Ideal for accessories like body molding, hood scoops, mirrors and spoilers.

 

[Libsam]

I wonder is this Rustoleum is compatible with the Dupli-Color Gold paint I used?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41tAi1OgpWL.jpg

 

[thør]

Clear coat? Imron.

 

[doowdniw]

Go with the dupli-color. If all you're doing is hanging it from the ceiling, I wouldn't even mess with the tougher clear coat they make for wheels. Imron aviation paint is nice, but I wouldn't pay up for it on something that is never leaving the house. The rustoleum may be okay over the dupli-color, but I would use dupli-color clear over a dupli-color base. My $0.02.

 

[pete]

A couple of weeks ago I made a wire frame. Well, technically I came up with the design and a friend of mine welded it together... and he bent and cut the steel too... so pretty much I just supervised. BTW, 3.14 is awesome!

http://cdn.fashionablygeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/pie-590x284.jpg?22a92a

Today the temperature outside rose above 60 °F so I jumped on the opportunity to spray paint!!

I've used gold spray paint by krylon and rustoleum on other projects. Kryon's was hideous, it looked yellow/green. Rustoleum's was decent. This time I tried an automotive gold paint, Dupli-Color, the cost is the same as the other brands. I'm pretty happy with the results, the paint had a lot of shiny flake in it, it looks like unfinished brass. I think I could get a more polished result if I used some kind of clear poly coat. I may do that but I need to read-up on it a bit first.

http://i.imgur.com/YR56n23.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/LeW8YCX.jpg

At this point you may be asking yourself, "Libsam, what do you plan on doing with this frame?"

Well, I'm gonna drip some swarovski crystals off the frame, then hardwire the whole thing to my ceiling with antique replica parts. (I've rewired lamps before, don't worry, I know what I'm doing!) The finished project will be a modern/industrial, shabby chic chandelier.

So, does anyone have any recommendations for a clear coat spray paint?

very cool job, lib.
would love to see the finished product

 

[Libsam]

Clear coat? Imron.

Whoah, am I reading this right, Imron is a two part epoxy like clear coat? That sounds like some serious stuff.

Go with the dupli-color. If all you're doing is hanging it from the ceiling, I wouldn't even mess with the tougher clear coat they make for wheels. Imron aviation paint is nice, but I wouldn't pay up for it on something that is never leaving the house. The rustoleum may be okay over the dupli-color, but I would use dupli-color clear over a dupli-color base. My $0.02.

Yeah, I don't want the finish to turn milky, or matte the current gold finish. I think it will be best to go with Dupli-Color, just in case the rustoleum has an adverse reaction. I scoured their products and found two more clear spray paints. Hopefully they'll have one of these products on the shelf.

https://www.duplicolor.com/images/big/big_perfectMatch.jpg

Dupli-Color® Perfect Match™ Premium Automotive Paint is an easy-to-use, high-quality, fast-drying, acrylic lacquer aerosol paint specially formulated to exactly match the color of the original factory applied coating. Ideal for use on all OEM paint surfaces, Perfect Match is available in a complete line of exact-match colors for current and late model import and domestic vehicles, making this product ideal for both small scale vehicle touch-up and for painting vehicle accessories.

It comes in clear.

https://www.duplicolor.com/images/big/big_general_lacquer.jpg

Dupli-Color® Premium Lacquer is a fast-drying, high-solids formula that provides quick coverage, excellent weatherability and superior adhesion. It delivers a rich glossy finish every time making it ideal for automotive trim and detail projects, as well as other general purpose applications.

It comes in clear too.

 

[Beco]

Watching paint dry is a little more exciting than the General Bored

 

[Libsam]

very cool job, lib.
would love to see the finished product

Thanks, pete!
Y'all are going to enjoy the ceiling cover that this fixture will be attached to as well. It's up and it looks great! Don't ask, it's going to be a surprise!

 

[Libsam]

Watching paint dry is a little more exciting than the General Bored

Riiiight? My project is a big fucking deal! To me anyways.

 

[Libsam]

So I wrote Dupli-Color this morning to ask if they could recommend a clear coat for the gold. This was their replay:

Unfortunately we do not make a Clear that I would recommend over the Gold paint.

Makes sense, I guess, if they did have a product I'm sure it would be written on the can. I don't want to mess up the luster, so now I'm contemplating leaving it bare. Maybe do a scratch test to see if it holds up.

 

[doowdniw]

If you primed it before painting, the color should stay on just fine without the clear coat, unless you're really going to be knocking it around, which, if hung from the ceiling, sounds unlikely.

 

[Libsam]

If you primed it before painting, the color should stay on just fine without the clear coat, unless you're really going to be knocking it around, which, if hung from the ceiling, sounds unlikely.

I will be attaching brass plated steel chandelier crystal clips to the frame with pliers. I'll just be real careful, but odds are the finish will get a scratch or two.

Ordered all the parts to make it a working pendant light this morning, hopefully they will have all the parts in stock and ship it out soon! Ordered some neat lightbulbs too.

http://www.grandbrass.com/images/buEa19g40.jpg

http://www.grandbrass.com/images/BUEG25HCG.jpg

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Shrink wrap it and then pull it away as part of the finishing process...

 

[Que]

Golds, silvers, and aluminums have a very high percentage of solids and the particles are pretty big, relatively speaking. The carrier for the paint including all of the bonding properties are in slightly lower concentrations than in, say, a solid color paint.

Anything you put on top, especially a clear will be a solvent that will want to release those bonds.

I think that is how things like crackle paints work.

That said, really light sprays in multiple coats allowed to flash between would create a hard shell around the color coat. If it were a big, flat surface you would have to worry about the whole thing buckling and coming loose. In your application your shell would go all the way around in an even coat.

I don't think you need it for protection but it might make it more reflective. AKA sparkly.

You could try it out on a scrap of wire... see what happens when you flew it after.

 

[chillywilly2]

If you want it high gloss try a spray can of zinsers blonde shelac.

Its alcohol based and dries in about 10 minutes.

Do a test sample first

 

[Libsam]

And it's done!

http://i.imgur.com/38jGlV1.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/b7UhNVQ.jpg

I splurged, those are Strass certified Swarovski! 14mm octagons, 104 of them! I was worried it'd be a little too kitsch, but it's really very charming in my boudoir + linen storage room.

I didn't clear coat it, I did scratch the frame.

And yes, that is textured wallpaper on my ceiling!

 

[Aquagal]

That turned out great. I like the shadow it casts also.

 

[TrailDawg]

What a wonderful idea and spectacular result. My wife is in love with Swarovski ornaments of any and all types. I am not nearly as handy but you have given some ideas for designs I can have fabricated. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Que]

And it's done!

http://i.imgur.com/38jGlV1.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/b7UhNVQ.jpg

I splurged, those are Strass certified Swarovski! 14mm octagons, 104 of them! I was worried it'd be a little too kitsch, but it's really very charming in my boudoir + linen storage room.

I didn't clear coat it, I did scratch the frame.

And yes, that is textured wallpaper on my ceiling!

That turned out really well. I would look for a more interesting shaped bulb though.

Although in time that shape will be "vintage" and hip.

 

[doowdniw]

Well done! I can't imagine putting wallpaper onto a ceiling, I would have a hard enough time just trying to get it right on a wall. I'm a can of paint, roller, and broom handle operator at best, when it comes to interior decorating.

 

[Libsam]

That turned out great. I like the shadow it casts also.

Thanks, AG! Wish you could see the tiny rainbows the crystals are dispersing, it's even more impressive in person. I tried to get some pics but it was like... well... chasing a rainbow.

What a wonderful idea and spectacular result. My wife is in love with Swarovski ornaments of any and all types. I am not nearly as handy but you have given some ideas for designs I can have fabricated. Thanks for sharing.

You are welcome, I'm happy I've inspired you!
If you weld and are in the USA, let me tell you, there aren't many people making victorian style lampshade frames here. In fact, I was only able to find one manufacturer, smithwire dot com, but they didn't have a feminine hourglass shape that I liked. In the UK it's hot!

There are some people on etsy that I talked to, they are making garden topiary frames, and one guy makes brazilian/carnival/mardi gras costume frames (btw, they are sexy as hell- especially the bras). But they all told me they had 6 month+ waiting lists, so there is room in the market for stuff like this.

That turned out really well. I would look for a more interesting shaped bulb though.

Although in time that shape will be "vintage" and hip.

hehe, don't you know I tried on half a dozen different lightbulbs before choosing the one in the picture. It's a halogen, a nice compromise between incandescent and LED:
http://www.grandbrass.com/images/BUEG25HCG.jpg
It's very interesting, light on or off!
_______________________

Tried the gold crown too, it's an incandescent, a warm yellow light. It looked great with the light off, but on it was kind of weird and didn't make the crystals sparkle as well.
http://www.grandbrass.com/images/buEa19g40.jpg
________________________

I also bought this one, 5 mini LED lights, 5w equivalent. So it's like a nightlight, totally sucks for real lighting.
http://www.grandbrass.com/images/bueg25st.jpg
(The place I bought these from sell them for $11. PotteryBarn is selling them for like $25!!)
_________________________

Then I had this antique edison replica already. You can get all kinds of shapes, even the filaments are shaped different, curly, straight up and down, zigzag, etc. The only problem, these cast an extremely warm light spectrum, heavy orange. My wall colors already have warm undertones, it did not please me.
http://www.grandbrass.com/images/buef1910.jpg
____________________________

I tried the normal LEDs, which I love. Crisp, cold light- looks great with warm wall colors, but I imagine is would make cool paint colors feel even more cold. And it made those crystals sing!
____________________

And of course a normal incandescent. Not as warm as the edison.

Well done! I can't imagine putting wallpaper onto a ceiling, I would have a hard enough time just trying to get it right on a wall. I'm a can of paint, roller, and broom handle operator at best, when it comes to interior decorating.

It's not as difficult as people imagine, but I let them think that anyway.
This vinyl textured wallpaper is paintable. I painted it flat ceiling white which hid some of my sloppy seams.

Next, I want to try grasscloth on the ceiling in another room.
I'm wallpapering my ceiling because whats underneath is 12"x12" acoustic tile that looks like shit. I thought I'd try wallpapering it first instead of replacing it with drywall. I was EXTREMELY pleased when it worked!! Excellent solution!

 

[Que]

Oh I do like that choice it is one of the ones I ran across when googling the idea. I guess, I just couldn't make it out in the picture.

I saw some coming on the market in free-form glass tubing that looked interesting but not right for the more traditional kind of look of your chandelieeeeer..

(suddenly I am hearing the SNL skit in my head)

I saw some that looked like long icicles but could not tell if they were bulbs or the fixtures on bulbs.

 

[Libsam]

Oh I do like that choice it is one of the ones I ran across when googling the idea. I guess, I just couldn't make it out in the picture.

I saw some coming on the market in free-form glass tubing that looked interesting but not right for the more traditional kind of look of your chandelieeeeer..

(suddenly I am hearing the SNL skit in my head)

I saw some that looked like long icicles but could not tell if they were bulbs or the fixtures on bulbs.

I'ma share some thoughts that floated through my mind.

The globe shape bulb, a feminine shape, looks good with the feminine shape of my frame.

But the more phallic edison bulb looked good inside too!