Rust-proofing a 6ft tall statue?

djmcmath · 06-28-2005, 11:35 AM

I'm posting this here because classic car types typically know more about rust than anyone else. Heck, this group knows about living on boats, impeaching justices, and picking cherries -- why not rust?

My unit been tasked with building a 9/11 Memorial Park on my military base for a statue that a local artist has created. Nobody consulted the artist before committing to build a park, so nobody realized that the statue is made of mild steel.

Now the Admiral has made a big deal out of this park, and the artist is upset about the idea of his statue sitting outside rusting.

So now I'm trying to figure out a way to rust-proof the thing so both parties are happy. Anyone know of someplace that'll galvanize a statue? How about alternate treatments -- electrolysis dipping, or chemical something-or-other?

Thanks in advance,
Dan

id10t · 06-28-2005, 11:53 AM

Clear coat of paint?

350HP930 · 06-28-2005, 11:54 AM

get it electroplated in copper. It will be like having a bronze statue without all the expense.

If that is too expensive then put some por 9 or whatever that stuff that all the lightweight junkies are using on their stripped out cars is called.

djmcmath · 06-28-2005, 12:09 PM

Paint is a no-go -- too many complex surfaces that won't be paintable. It's a tree with an eagle landing in it, and a flag hanging from one of the tree branches, and the eagle's carrying some arrows.

350 -- any idea what kind of place would do electro-plating? Has anyone ever worked with an electro-plater that they could recommend?

928ram · 06-28-2005, 12:10 PM

I supppose the artist wants it too look like raw steel? That would narrow the options. Clear coat over a conversion coating would be about as close as you could come other that getting "steel" colored paint mixed.

928ram · 06-28-2005, 12:16 PM

How about plating it in gold??? It's probably not as expensive as it sounds, and would always look cool. There's an eagle statue in Palm Beach that's gold plated and it always looks new.

island911 · 06-28-2005, 01:01 PM

ahhhhhuumm. . .. the Navy needs us to tell them about rust!?

legion · 06-28-2005, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by island911
ahhhhhuumm. . .. the Navy needs us to tell them about rust!?

So we should coat it in rubber like submarines?

legion · 06-28-2005, 01:06 PM

I just had a thought....could a wall-less shelter be erected over it?

island911 · 06-28-2005, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by djmcmath
...artist is upset about the idea of his statue sitting outside rusting.

Then why , oh why did the "artist" choose rust as a medium?. . .I mean mild steel?

Paint it "ship-gray" ...let it go.

bryanthompson · bryanthompson's Garage

dip it in por15

island911 · 01:39 PM

Okay, seriously...

There are some chemical treatments that can be done, which will give a "rust finish" which must also be somewhat passivated. (for example, there's a ped bridge over 405, in Kirkland, done this way.) . . it's pretty common around here.

An artist who can't produce to the needs of the piece should have stayed in the "macaroni-art for Mom" camp.

Superman · 06-28-2005, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by island911
Okay, seriously...

An artist who can't produce to the needs of the piece should have stayed in the "macaroni-art for Mom" camp.

Had to chuckle at this one.

Whatever you do, it's going to piss off the artist.

djmcmath · 06-28-2005, 01:45 PM

The Navy is expert at dealing with rust on ships. Rust on ships is easy -- use sacrificial anodes or paint it. Don't forget to replace SA's periodically. There is no requirement that it look pretty, only that it function on a practical level. If I send out my boatswain's mates to paint this thing in anti-rust anti-sea-growth red, the artist will give my name to a hit-man, though he'll be lucky to get to me before the Admiral does.

The Navy is substantially less skilled at anti-rusting art. Art and the Navy have never had a good friendly working relationship. Try to think of the last time you saw an artistic looking Navy ship. Nobody told the artist his work was being placed outside until long after he had donated the thing. They just autonomously made that decision. I was the guy who called him and told him he had a park. That news came as a complete surprise to him. "A park? You mean like outside? Are you serious?" he said. "Why didn't anyone tell me?" Heck, man, I don't know, I just got tasked with building the d*** park for your effin' modern art POS creation thing. It never occurred to anyone making the park decision that a metal sculpture might rust. It also never occurred to the artist that a 6 foot tall tree-eagle monstrosity might be placed outside. Sounds to me like a lot of stupidity and false expectations on both sides, and all I'm tryin' to do is make everyone happy, d***it.

Ok, I'm done ranting.

I feel much better now.

So Island, any idea how that bridge was rust-passivated? Know of anyplace that does any kind of plating? I don't even know where to begin looking.

Gold plating, btw, while cool looking, is probably going to get me in trouble. I can see myself standing tall before the Admiral already: "Yes, sir, I know there's a war on, and that the budget is tight, but I really thought that gold plating would look neat."

What fun...

djmcmath · 06-28-2005, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by procon
Galvanized spray paint.
I've used it on several projects in the past & have yet to have any problems.

Where do you get that? It sounds like a miracle!

island911 · 06-28-2005, 02:06 PM

A long long time ago, as a 16y/o, I worked in a sheetmetal shop. They showed me a bunch of artsy steel plate thing-a-majobbers, a brush, and some nasty chemicals of some sort; and said "start painting."

So, now, when I see that type of finish (all over the place) I remember that day. eesh

I dunno, maybe it doesn't passivate enough. (how much is that anyway?. . . I mean even indoors . .. Mild steel!? Was the "artist" thinking it would go into a zero humidity room somewhere? Seriously; this "artist" should stay in the macorroni camp. . ...this shouldn't be your problem. Hell, this problem isn't even defined. )

johnco · 06-28-2005, 02:32 PM

use a rust converter in spray cans like you can get from Walmart or auto parts houses. it will turn the object black and shiny and protect it from more rust. I use it on my table saw top, which usually lives in the back of my truck in the rain, and my old rusty cars. it leaves a water resistant, slippery like it's been waxed finish. careful on painted surfaces as it will melt the paint somewhat, as I've found out recently on my 62 Olds.

arcsine · 06-28-2005, 04:12 PM

Do a clear powder coat. Something 6ft tall will easily fit in the ovens I have seen.

djmcmath · 06-28-2005, 06:30 PM

I think the artist would be pretty upset about the idea of a full-on covering like powder coat or anti-rust spray paint. I'm going to have to look at it to make sure, but generally covering a statue in a 2mm thick layer of anything ruins a lot of the finer details.

But clear powder coat ... that might be the ticket. I wonder if one of the military shops can do that. I'll make some phone calls in the morning. Spray on galvanizing also sounds too good to be true. Let me know what the name of that stuff is, I'm definitely interested.

This board always amazes me ...

djmcmath · 06-28-2005, 10:11 PM

Rust-oleum, huh? Ok, I'll run that past the artist in the morning.

As to the earlier suggestion of a small structure -- I'm also looking into that. I think I can convince a local architect to do some pro-bono work, assuming I can persuade the CB's to lay down a little concrete. This may not be a complete failure.