ArtMetal

Hi all, I coming to the end of a giant windvane project and would like some input about the finish. The client chose the look of a blued steel finish with an orange rust patina randomly placed throughout and a clear top coat. My concern is that this vane goes on top of a house out in the country and is surrounded by fields which for at least 4 months out of the year could have a sandblasting effect on the vane. I am also worried that the rusting patina won't fully stop rusting. I have been considering having the vane powdercoated or professionally painted black, or blueblack, and then use guilders paste to give the patina effect. I would then clear coat the whole thing for extra protection. I can't change the materials(mild steel) and it goes on a giant house(thus the size to keep in scale). I think the closest one could get and still see it, without getting on the roof, would be 90-120 feet. Since it's going to be hard to see any small details I'm beginning to lean more towards a faux finish with more protection than the real deal. What do you think?

I posted some picts below. The vane is roughly 9' and there are some decorative elements which make up the clients crest that go in the upper dead space, but I can't show them due to confidentiality agreements, sorry.

Jake

windvane 1

windvane 2