Marc and I are discussing his preservation and makeover process. Marc is our youngster in the Triceratops family. He’s 6 ½ feet long and just under 3 ½ in height. A Metal Dinosaur like Marc could easily find a home in most backyards, if you can’t have one in front of your home. You should reassure your metal dinosaur that this process won’t hurt and they will look and feel fantastic when finished.
The following is a summary of the steps for Marc’s “makeover”:
- Removal of plastic eyes to allow for cleaning and rust preventative measures of the eye sockets. Don’t worry, they will be cleaned polished and replaced when we finish the painting.
- Various sizes of wire brushes will assist in the clearing of loose rust and reaching tight spots. Placing your dinosaur on its side will make access to the inside of the legs and the underside much easier. Using some 4 inch x 4 inch boards to create a platform can prevent damage to the tips on the head shield.
- An acid wash will remove the majority of the rust. After the rinsing of the acid, a spray with a rust reformer will seal and convert any remaining rust to a primer.
- A brown primer will be used to prep for the Rustolium colors – Gloss Berry Pink for the mouth, Gloss Kona Brown for the beak and claws, Flat Brown for the main parts of the body, Satin Eden Green for the belly, Gloss Marigold for the forehead, shield and outlining of the blue stripes on the back to the tip of the tail, Gloss Maui Blue for stripe, around the eyes and nostrils, Gloss Ivory for the horns and triangular tips around the shield. Several layers of High Gloss Clear coat will provide the final seal of protection. It will also correct the for the difference of Gloss, Satin & Flat colors resulting in a uniform finish.
Marc, if this sounds good to you, just turn your head to your left.
Yes, we’re set to go! It’s always a good idea to have agreement before proceeding.
Special Note: Marc’s location was prepared by removing all plants, raking & leveling the soil (sand was added to assist) then placing 15 inch by 15 inch concrete squares to keep Marc off the bare soil (see post 8/03/2016 “Triceratops Family – Site / Foundation”).
For removal of the plastic eyes, I use a small flat headed screw driver. Carefully remove the silicone glue around the eye and gently insert the screw driver under the eye in various locations then carefully lift it out. I use an assortment of wire brushes to remove the rust. A dusting brush is great for the final clean-up prior to the acid wash.
Note: I wear protective glasses and gloves. A dust mask is also a good idea. For the acid wash, I find a spray bottle works best in getting into hard to reach areas and controlling the amount of material used. I use heavy duty rubber gloves with the acid wash.
Marc was indoors most of the time. As a result, he has only a minimal amount rust. I placed a cloth on top of the platform to provide an extra cushion for Marc while on his side.
After the Acid Wash, let your dinosaur set overnight. Note: the large bristle brush can be used to work the acid wash in to areas where the rust is heavier. That was not an issue with Marc.
The following day use a damp cloth (or hose and brush if necessary – remember conserve water) to remove the excess rust. When completely dry, you can spray your entire dinosaur with a rust reformer. This will convert any remaining rust to a primer. Details on Rust Converter for Marc next week or see post 9/09/2016 “Wire Brushing, Acid Washing & Rust Converter for Triceratops – Paul”.
Have a Great Week!
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
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