clear lacquer for indoor use on bare metal?

[chunkolini]

I have a pile of fern leaves in mild steel that will need Lacquering for indoor display.
Ive looked online and been bamboozled by the number of choices. Prices range form about £12 a can donw to a couple of quid.
I dont mind spending as it is an important job.
Any reccomendations?
I am looking at Jenolite clear, Rustoleum and siramco
these are just names that mean nothing to me but I have heard of the first two
this sounds the business but really is just advertising.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/JENOLITE-Automotive-Paintwork-Corrosion-Non-Yellowing/dp/B0CM442JGK/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1MD5UHU0YZD5Z&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1DirehF_5X0hfzbqjCT9azUDu9KHTk087cmSWOVXcpGlvc1vTTKmxDojRZzrzdRZxwI8rV5HxjMM7KLBg7PfB1eQPbZR5RI9sJ675lCXsEr3dRwVr49bXHzdWEIi9NpjEnsS-2In-PtY_Z8L8SZUFqXz94RTyiR_ynbpJjcQvf1BydUMHsf3xQHjFuZl2IuaDn_RcpAZD8R1IdndtTxaxkHYFEiKZwohDqvqW_af5SGvAZ2iRLs5Ks97WzjlV-Nr_Q1PZpAiTRJJPFs2yVVK_s5NpiKfe4aJgXxGaTJJdkk.dK9Nu-nSzPjYuN3NDlSa7RBWzEupqfBcgliM_qPrpkU&dib_tag=se&keywords=clear%2Blacquer%2Bspray%2Bsatin%2Bfinish&qid=1727875169&sprefix=%2Caps%2C70&sr=8-6&th=1

ive got fifty of these things to do. Great fun up to about 800mm long each

 

[brightspark]

2k any make

 

[chunkolini]

I think that may be a step to far, I doubt it will need that level; of protection.
I think the PPE involved also adds to the hassles

 

[MysterG]

I use this on the metal of all my indoor sculptures. No issues in three years.

I also used it on a weather vane which is still looking "okay" after three years outside and no re-application.

Industrial Clear Lacquer Spray Paint 500ml

A tough, industrial clear lacquer spray designed to offer excellent protection against moisture and contaminants. With this 500ml aerosol from Pro-Cote, a clear flexible film is just a spray away.The high gloss finish is fast-drying and non-yellowing, offering impressive resistance to weathering...

www.toolstation.com

 

[Kram]

Do you have a spray gun and compressor or, are you only wanting to use aerosol cans?

Upol S2085 is their 1K SMART product which is decent. Its intended as a 1K small area repair for their S2080 2k product.
I bought a large tin, sold half, used a bit but have plenty left if its any good to you.

As an example, about 15 years ago I brush painted the freshly sanded copper pipe going from wall to my shower to stop it dulling, using cheap halfords 1k. It still looks quite acceptable.

As for 2K products, we all have to decide our own level of risk and strike a balance. For small items, done outside with a filter mask and retreating away between coats, the exposure is very small and unlikely to cause harm, unless already sensitised.

It would be more important to consider the pain of dust, flys and dirt landing on it in the extended curing window, as it takes significantly longer for 2k to dry before it can be handled.

 

[ajlelectronics]

significantly longer for 2k to dry before it can be handled.

It depends on the hardener chosen and the solvent content. Regardless, it will be cured before a 1k product.

 

[Kram]

It depends on the hardener chosen and the solvent content. Regardless, it will be cured before a 1k product.

Yet 1k can be handled after 15- 30 minutes. 2k can take days, even using pre warmed, extra fast hardener. I'm not saying one is better, just that he should be aware of it.

 

[chunkolini]

I think spray cans.
Then I can do a few at a time and avoid fannying about with a spray gun.
these sort of jobs can be a drag with repetition, I tend do a few at a time say sets of five so it's prep edges, surface welding, wire brush, add mounts and spray.
go home and repeat the next day.
Batch production rather than mass production

 

[ajlelectronics]

Yet 1k can be handled after 15- 30 minutes. 2k can take days, even using pre warmed, extra fast hardener. I'm not saying one is better, just that he should be aware of it.

The other way around Shirley. I can paint something in 2k which you can install in under 30 minutes. 1k however remains soft enough to take a finger print for quite some time. Just one of the many reasons that the trade moved away from 1k materials.

 

[Kram]

If you have a compressor, that will work equally well with a 1K clearcoat. A spraygun in my opinion, gives a much better spray.
I've used aerosols and about half the time, nozzels block or are rubbish.

 

[Kram]

The other way around Shirley. I can paint something in 2k which you can install in under 30 minutes. 1k however remains soft enough to take a finger print for quite some time. Just one of the many reasons that the trade moved away from 1k materials.

Possible but not my experience. Ultra fast hardener takes 24 hours at room temp, or is said to take 1 hour at 60c. Heat lamps in a hot room did not seem to help reduce from 24 hours.
In summer, it will be quicker. Currently temps are getting a bit low for 2k to cure unassisted.

Epoxy 2K is particually annoying in this respect, if you mess it up, its a very long wait before you can repair, re primer, wait for the cure and start on the top coat.

 

[iNf]

I've done the door furniture for our bathrooms using Lidl clear spray varnish, it's been on a few years with no problems, it's not like your spraying something that's going to be constantly handled is it?

 

[ajlelectronics]

Epoxy 2K is particually annoying in this respect,

 

[Dozzer]

Im going to throw a random one in, 2 Black smiths i know sometimes use bees wax instead of lacquer for indoor stuff, heat it up then wipe it on.

 

[chunkolini]

They have requested lacquer, I have used beeswax at home but I always do as Im asked with these jobs.
And doing fifty of them like that would drive me mad

 

[ajlelectronics]

They have requested lacquer, I have used beeswax at home but I always do as Im asked with these jobs.
And doing fifty of them like that would drive me mad

If you can get them to me, I would do them in 2k for you, or how about asking a local bodyshop?

 

[Hitch]

Im going to throw a random one in, 2 Black smiths i know sometimes use bees wax instead of lacquer for indoor stuff, heat it up then wipe it on.

I was going to suggest the same. I think it looks much nicer than lacquer.
Warm them up, brush it on thick. Let them cool and buff. Gives a lovely finish without looking like they've been attacked with some cheap lacquer.

Customer is always right though, so they say.

 

[brightspark]

I was going to suggest the same. I think it looks much nicer than lacquer.
Warm them up, brush it on thick. Let them cool and buff. Gives a lovely finish without looking like they've been attacked with some cheap lacquer.

Customer is always right though, so they say.

unless there wrong

 

[magnet]

Rustoleum hardhat is what i use at work. Its good stuff and dries quick.

Rust-Oleum Hard Hat 2500 | Metal Enhancing Protective Coating

Enhance metal surfaces with Rust-Oleum Hard Hat Transparent Topcoat 2500. UV resistant, quick-drying, and durable. Perfect for professionals. Buy now at Rawlins Paints.

www.rawlinspaints.com

 

[brightspark]

just spray them with cheap crap celly if your in a hurry for them to dry.the customer wouldnt know a good job if it smacked them in the face