We first used a wire brush on a grinder to remove the worst of the rust and loose paint. Normally a mild shot blast would be used to completely remove paint and rust. You can start to see the really delicate forgework of scrolls and the neatness of the firewelds. Once the whole of the gate has been cleaned off we can start to straighten up all the bent parts and assess what needs to be remade.
If you have ironwork in your home that is just bare metal and unpainted here are a few tips to keep it looking in top condition. 1: Remove any residue such as wax by using a white spirit. 2: Dry off and use a very fine grade of wet and dry sandpaper to lightly rub the suface of the steel. This has the added effect of bringing out the high spots made by the hammer or press tools to get a lovely contrasting quality on the surface. 3: Give the artefact a rub down with a clean rag to remove any dust. 4: The next step is to seal the surface with a wax. I never use beeswax as i have found this to be very sticky and tends to attract dust and make the surface go black, removing highlights and details that may be in your artefact. For the best waxes i use Renaissance wax which can be purchased from either www.picreator.co.uk or www.renaissancewax.co.uk 5: Rub a small amount of wax onto a dry rag, remember a little goes a long way! Allow to dry and then give a light buff creating a fantastic surface patina. 6: Every 3-4 months give your ironwork another light coating of wax to nourish the steel and keep it in perfect condition.
Traditional blacksmithing techniques used to create contemporary and innovative ways to fulfil the client's needs.
The designs are beautifully hand drawn with delicate attention given to the smallest of details, resulting in fine craftsmanship, superb detailing and a substantial build quality that reflects a belief in a lasting beauty and quality.
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