Why I don’t paint metal display stands for glass art
Why I don’t paint metal display stands for glass art
When it comes to creating metal display stands for glass artwork, each design decision is made with durability, beauty, and ease of maintenance in mind. One common question I get is why I don’t powder coat or paint my stands. Instead, I generally use an oil finish that has several practical and aesthetic advantages. Let’s dive into the reasons:
The Drawbacks of Paint and Powder Coat
Powder coating is often seen as a go-to option for protective finishes on metal. While it can provide a smooth, uniform look initially, powder coating has its downsides, especially for decorative pieces like art display stands. Here are some of the main drawbacks:
Limited Lifespan: Powder coating, while durable in some environments, is not maintenance-free. Over time, it can chip, crack, and wear down, especially where it contacts the glass.
Susceptibility to Chipping and Corrosion: Powder coating creates a hard shell, but when this shell chips or cracks, moisture can seep under the coating and accelerate corrosion. This can be particularly problematic for metal stands meant to hold valuable or fragile glass art.
Costly and Difficult Reapplication: Once powder coating starts to wear or chip, it can’t be touched up. Your only option is to get the stand sanded down and powder coated again, which is very expensive and time-consuming.
For these reasons, I avoid powder coating and generally opt for oil finishes, which are easy for my customers to touch up and maintain as needed.
The Benefits of Oil Finishes
Oil finishes are maintainable by the end customer, which makes them a practical choice for metal display stands. Here’s why I consider oil finishes a superior choice:
Ease of Maintenance: Unlike powder coating, oil finishes are easy to touch up and maintain. Should the finish wear over time, it’s straightforward to re-apply oil and keep the stand looking as good as new without costly or specialized reapplication processes. Maintenance is as easy as wipe-on, wipe-off!
Long-Term Stability: When applied properly, a hot oil varnish creates a moisture-resistant finish that can last indoors for a very long time with minimal touch-up. Oil finishes also do not risk trapping moisture and debris underneath - meaning no sneaky rust or bubbling!
Aesthetic Quality: Oil finishes offer a warm, subtle sheen that complements the raw beauty of the metal. This finish brings out the natural tones of the metal and doesn’t obscure its character, creating a high-quality look that pairs beautifully with glass art.
A Durable and Elegant Solution
Ultimately, by choosing an oil finish, I strive to ensure that each display stand remains a durable, elegant, and low-maintenance piece that showcases the glass artwork it holds. This choice provides a quality finish that lasts, looks fantastic, and allows my customers to maintain the beauty of their display stand with minimal to no hassle.
