How to Maintain Metallic Surfaces
Metallic surfaces tend to corrode and rust over time. It is important that you learn a thing or two about maintaining the metallic surfaces properly if you want to maintain their aesthetic appeal over the next few years. If you want to learn how to improve the appearance of a metallic surface or make it more resistant to corrosion and standard wear and tear, you might want to get in touch with a company that offers antiquing services.
Antiquing is basically a process in which bright surfaces are usually turned to a dark brown. This makes it easier to maintain them and ensures that they don’t rust so easily. The antiquing fluid is specifically designed depending upon the properties of the metal that needs to be covered. Here are some basic tips that will give you an idea about how to maintain your prized possessions.
How Does Antiquing Work?
Antiquing is a standard process in which a specialised solution is applied to a bright brass surface, thus turning it a shade of dark brown. The solution is prepared in a “bath” with a temperature between 35 and 40 degrees Centigrade for the best possible results. If the temperature is lower, the process takes a longer time for completion and the immersion time also increases from the standard five-minute mark.
Once the brass surface has been removed from the solution, it is allowed to dry over time. It is lightly abraded in order to remove the coating that’s stuck on certain surfaces. This will lead to an antiqued surface. Now, as you can imagine, many people are confused before giving their prized possessions over for antiquing. They don’t know how the process will work and are often worried that the antiquing may end up damaging their valuable items.
Obviously, you wouldn’t want that the item to lose its original aesthetic appeal or come out spoilt. Thankfully, antiquing is a perfectly safe process and is also much more cost-effective when compared with other solutions, especially plating. Apart from that, you should know that antiquing is an entirely safe process that does not change the aesthetic appeal or the dimensions of the product.
Hiring an Antiquing Specialist
First and foremost, you will need to do a bit of research about different companies that offer antiquing services in your area. You can then contact the company and ask them for a quote for the costs of antiquing. Depending upon the nature of the project and the type of antiquing needed, the company will give you an estimate accordingly. They will bring the equipment and the tools to your place or may require you to visit their workshop for the antiquing work.