| Coloring light metals costs less per ounce of additive, | | | | particularly pleasing to the eye, and any added colors |
| and much less per square inch of surface imbued | | | | will show up much more vibrantly on this medium. |
| both in money and labor. Some will say that a heavy | | | | Some of the chemicals used to color metal are |
| bodied metal will give a more dramatic effect, | | | | extremely acidic and dangerous, so it is not advisable |
| however it really all comes down to the artists' | | | | for amateurs to start dabbling in this art. It is a useful |
| opinion. | | | | skill to learn, however beginners must always have |
| It should be noted that different chemicals have | | | | supervision by a professional. These chemicals should |
| different prices. For example, 32 ounces of sulfuric | | | | also be kept in a safe and separate place, and never |
| acid will cost around forty dollars, whereas | | | | mixed arbitrarily. |
| hydrofluoric acid will cost around the same for 250ml. | | | | Metal sculpting opens up a whole new world of skills |
| The comparison here is with the average | | | | for artists. For any who wish to take their craft |
| percentages of pure chemical that are on the market. | | | | further than just a simple hobby for personal |
| Different percentages will mix differently. | | | | enjoyment, standard metal cutting processes should |
| Metal art, metal wall décor, and outdoor wall | | | | be learned. Laser cut metal is the favored method. |
| décor is best fashioned out of wrought iron. | | | | Water jet cutting is still prevalent; however it is not |
| Other types of metal can also be used, such as | | | | as practical. |
| copper and zinc, but those are usually for smaller | | | | Laser cutting makes acute detailing possible for any |
| pieces or they are used in addition to iron or steel. | | | | work. The laser is guided by a computer, so |
| The metal does not necessarily need to be colored. | | | | symmetry is more easily achieved. The artist can plot |
| Wrought iron is black, and that is usually good enough | | | | the points with a digital pen and tablet, which will tell |
| for wall art and sculptures, although too much of it | | | | the laser where to go, thereby carving the metal into |
| can get boring. Copper is of course a beautiful color | | | | the desired theme, for any sized canvas. The only |
| all by itself, and it would be a travesty to cover the | | | | limitation is the artists' own imagination and drawing |
| natural essence of it with chemicals. There are many | | | | ability. |
| different types that can be used for unique metal | | | | Once you have shaped and colored the metal, it is |
| wall art. | | | | important to remember to paint your creation with a |
| Cold rolled steel wall art is usually chemically colored. | | | | nice coat of lacquer or a special wax. This will protect |
| Honey pinion steel wall art, for example, is a popular | | | | the metal and will keep the color from fading. If it is |
| hue. Color is mostly used on steel art such as this | | | | iron, this will help protect against natural oxidization (in |
| because the metal's natural grey color is not | | | | other words, rust). |