How to Finish Metal Art
A professional finish to metal art requires the mixture and use of chemicals. This process can be dangerous and should not be performed for the first time at home without proper training. Instead, you can smooth, polish and finish your metal art with tools that are perfectly safe to use at home with some practice. Grinding metal surfaces give them a clean, shiny look and painting them with epoxy paint gives them a glazed appearance. Employ one or both of these techniques to finish your metal art.
- Angle grinder
- Sanding discs
- Protective gloves
- Protective goggles
- Clamp
- Metal worktable
- 2 rags
- Water-based degreaser
- Soap and water
- Coarse metal wire brush
- Bucket
- Stir stick
- Paint brush
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Instructions
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1
Place a sanding disc onto the angle grinder. Secure it by turning the bolt with your hands. The side with the sandpaper should be facing out.
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2
Clamp the artwork down to your worktable.
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3
Put on protective gloves and goggles. Turn on the grinder.
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4
Run the edges of the grinder over the artwork. The grinder will simultaneously smooth and finish the metal surface.
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5
Scrub the entire surface of the artwork with a degreaser and a clean, lint-free rag.
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6
Clean the entire surface of the artwork with soap and water. Dry completely with a clean rag.
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7
Scrub the entire surface of the artwork with your wire brush.
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8
Pour the epoxy paint into your bucket. Stir with a stir stick.
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9
Paint the epoxy paint with a paint brush. Let dry for three to five hours.