The Transmuted Victorian Engineer's Journal

Step 4 Paint Aluminum

Not much to say here - I put on about 3 coats over a period of 2 days. For the first coat, I used a continual spray, but on the 2nd and 3rd coats I used quick sprays of paint to give some areas a darker finish, some areas a thicker or layered look, and other areas developed unique textures (the smallest piece has a bubbling effect that looks great so I'm hoping I'll be able to make it visible and not covered by the leather binding.

I could have painted only the external sides of the pieces, but because I wasn't sure which side I'd choose as external (and to give myself choices) I painted all sides of the pieces.

The final result looks a little different in photos than when you're holding it, but it turned out great - sort of a metallic copper leather look but with a very interesting surface feel.

Comments

[hottie_mchottson]

I've used the Krylon wrought iron spray paint to make faux iron parts on wooden chests and it works great. One way to cut down on the chipping factor is to spray the painted surface with clear polyurethane varnish either glossy or matte depending on the desired finish. I love this book!

[jktechwriter]

I'll have to try that trick - the "official" answer is to treat the aluminum in some kind of etching bath, but laying it on thick works, too! I'll look at getting some of the varnish and try that on the smaller version. Thanks!

[Full Frontal Graphic]

Simple vinegar will etch the aluminum enough to give the paint a good hold, and if left longer, can create some texture. Rinse and dry thoroughly before painting. Nice piece of craft you got there. Looks real steampunky.

[jktechwriter]

Thanks for the suggestion about the vinegar - will try it! I'm very happy with the final result - and I love the weight of it... good for taking notes and fighting off hooligans.

[jennybean42]

I love it! What kind of leather is that? I always look at the Tandy catalog and then get overwhelmed by thicknesses, weights, etc. You picked just right.

[jktechwriter]

It's just cut from a single 6 foot run of black dyed leather. The leather is about 3" wide and 6 feet long - they cut it there and the long edges are perfectly parallel cut so you only have to worry about cutting off your own lengths straight. I also bought a similar run of natural leather (no color) that was 3" wide and 4' long. If you wet the leather just a bit, it bends easily and can be shaped around the spine of the book.

[wasabi32746]

Very nice, the only thing I would do different would be to use a dry brush painting method, to give it a textured and slightly worn look.

[Wyle_E]

Cool! I never would have thought of using Krylon Fusion, intended for plastics, on aluminum. Other possibilities are black wrinkle enamel, a finish usually associated with early electronics, and copper-plated steel.

[jktechwriter]

I like the Fusion products - I've used them in other projects and the finishes always turn out "interesting." This one turned out just amazing - the pictures don't do justice to the color and texture when you're holding it.