Bramblebush ForumsFAQ
Posted by bpfink on September 29, 1998 at 23:07:47:
In Reply to: lacquer over patina posted by Eric Higgs on September 29, 1998 at 12:17:46:
A very good question and one that will undoubtedly have differing answers. And they will also be welcomed as insights to decipher other views.
From my points of experience...
and in reguards to outdoor bronze pieces...
many lacquers or varnishes are not able to keep a good bond on the copper based metals (as well as many others) even though the surfaces have been fully dewaxed from fingerprints or buffing compounds.
I understand the chemical reactions between the two surfaces over time tend to create a break in any bonding and then the protective coating starts to flake or break and leave a spotted surface. One lacquer is especially formulated to not do this or at least to resist. This by trade name is called 'Incralac' and is the one I have used for years and felt to be very good. (StanChem; 401 Berlin St.; East Berlin, CT.)
It has to be applied very thin and then waxed over. The waxing is reapplied as needed depending on local conditions and comes to be about once every 6 months (I find that excessive) to every 2 years (which is about realistically what really seems to happen).
Some Museums or Galleries that have used it find that the stripping of the lacquer every 6 or so years is a smelly pain and would rather just re wax the piece without it and do that much more often. From the standpoint of an artist that sells the piece and gives out an information sheet to find it is not followed anyhow, the Incralac makes a finish hold it's own for a much longer period of time. And it can be restripped and recoated (but who would ever do it like the original person giving the first patina and seal). I speak from experience here as one who has spend 5 full days with additional time in between giving a patina and proper seal to a full figure only to have it later scrubbed with paint thinner and Brillo pads by the new owner's janitor in order to remove street grime.... Can say no more. But reality and printed theory sometimes don't coincide. I will stick to the Incralac and wax coat and pass out the sheets of 'Care and Cleaning Directions' and on occassion fly with a few turkeys. At least they are live company while the eagles soar.
The bad press that is ocasionally seen in this reguards seems to omit the variations of the piece itself. Is it a bright, mirrored, finished, polished bronze that is being hoped for vs. a rougher textured surface with a depth of patina that has already colored it. Be your own judge. I like Incralac under my waxing. bpfink
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