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  1. #1
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    Default Iridescent Metal Finish - have you seen this?

    Good Evening,

    New to the forum and eager to jump in the conversation with a new question. I recently came across a treatment done on a corrugated metal panel and would love to replicate it somehow. Does anyone know how to achieve the iridescent, metal finish in the attached image?

    Thanks in advance!

    iridescent metal panel.jpg

  2. #2
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    Hi and welcome to the Metalwork Forums,
    I have seen the pattination on other metal items but not on corrugated sheets. It is possibly the latest 'in' thing stateside but I can't say it has hit Aussie shores just as yet.

    Its an effect I have seen in handmade knife handles and in jewellery applications. Check back later as some of the blokes may be still on Xmas vacation.

    This might help in the mean time.
    https://www.ganoksin.com/article/iri...patina-recipe/

    Grahame

  3. #3
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    Default

    I see an occasional car like these:
    https://www.google.com.au/search?q=i...JJwbmZVxyjVhQM

    Not nearly as subtle as the corrugated sheets.

  4. #4
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    Default

    There are various methods, using heat consentrated more in one section and less in another, dipping in various chemicals, in the case of the photo it looks to me as it has been painted with a translucent paint and most likely clear coated

  5. #5
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    Default

    Looks similar to the colour of passivated zinc coated screws.

    This guy gets a similar effect on carburettors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmn94B5UUuU
    Fast forward to the end if you just want to see the result.
    Chris

  6. #6
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    I am sure jack620 is correct as you can see some of the iridescent colour on the corners of the carby.

    In my opinion, I don't think a do it at home operation is really viable, given the size of the sheets.

    This is a process that requires an industrial scale operation. I don't believe the electrolyte chemical and means of electroplating could be simply upscaled successfully from the home process. The sheer volume of electroyte and power the consumption I suspect would be very,very expensive.

    As the surface area gets larger so do the costs. In addition, the OH&S requirements may be substantial as well.

    I was a part of the hard chrome plating industry, so I do have some knowledge of the process parallels to draw upon.

    Grahame

  7. #7
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    Default

    Looks like a painted finish to me.
    Nev.

  8. #8
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    I agree. I'd be taking that picture down to an automotive spray place and asking what they can do like that. I remember talking to a spray painter once about cars that seem to change colour depending on the viewing angle and he described the process used - nothing particularly difficult. I suspect that is shaped glass beads or similar added to a clear coat and sprayed over the top of some corrugated iron sheet (as that is normally zinc plated, any chemical process would first have to strip the zinc = expensive)

    Michael

  9. #9
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    It looks like some electroplated method and it also looks god awful.

    Corrugated iron is bad enough in a house setting, but iridescent. What were they thinking.
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  10. #10
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    I'm sticking with colour passivated zinc coating like this piece of artwork is made from.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Chris

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    I remember talking to a spray painter once about cars that seem to change colour depending on the viewing angle and he described the process used - nothing particularly difficult.
    Although I believe the paint is horribly expensive. I recall my auto paint guy told me years ago it was about $800/L. May have come down in price since then.
    Chris

  12. #12
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    Appreciate all the feedback on this thread-- sounds like there are a lot of ways to go about it! Jack620 I think you've nailed it with the image of the artwork... any chance you know where that image is from or who the artist is?

  13. #13
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  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by .RC. View Post
    It looks like some electroplated method and it also looks god awful.

    Corrugated iron is bad enough in a house setting, but iridescent. What were they thinking.
    You wouldn't like to live in a Saturday Night Fever hay shed?

  15. #15
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    Those "designer" kitchens with the narrow ribbed corrugated sheet doors and drawers don't seem so bad now, do they?

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