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Post by connrock on Nov 2, 2012 7:46:38 GMT -5
I've been doing a bit of "metal art" lately and want to make a beach scene.
Does anyone know how I can adhere sand to steel sheet metal and have it look like a real beach?
Thanks,,,
connrock
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Post by Toad on Nov 2, 2012 9:03:50 GMT -5
Glue?
;D
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2012 10:41:04 GMT -5
I made a country scene on a piece of plywood. Grass, sand, gravel, dead wood, and a horse shoe. I used elmers glue that dries clear. I put tape sticking up about a quarter of an inch around the edge then working small areas I could build it up in places and leave it low in places so it was not just flat. I put on way to much sand and gravel so the glue would soak up through it and not leave any gaps. It worked real good except for when it dried completely it curled the ply wood a little so now I have a rocking piece of art. How this is going to work with metal I do not know. If you are going to have things welded to the base metal that should hold the beach from falling off. Let us know how it works out.  Jim |
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Post by connrock on Nov 3, 2012 6:10:53 GMT -5
Thanks for the info!
I may have to use epoxy instead of glue,,,,I don't think the glue will adhere to the metal all that well?
I KNOW I saw a beach scene,,,somewhere,,,at some time,,,and the sand on it had "depth" which made it look very real....I just can't remember where or when I saw it!
That's a very nice nature scene.A lot of work too!
Thanks again,,,
connrock
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adrian65
Cave Dweller 
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Nov 3, 2012 6:22:08 GMT -5
Tom,
When I made the wire trees (remember the contest?) I put some sand on the base of the trees. Not metal,but stone. There was some metal though: the copper wire "roots" of the trees.
I firstly prepared some 2 part epoxy ansd spread it (pretty thick layer) on the areas I wanted to have the sand. Then I added the sand, in excess. What is not bond is going to fall down when the epoxy will be cured. Press the sand in the epoxy firsly, and then let the last layer of sand to fall free on the already epoxy/sand mixture.
After a few hours or the day after, turn it around to get rid of the unstuck sand.
Good luck, I KNOW you will make something beautiful and I cannot wait to see it.
Adrian
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Post by NatureNut on Nov 3, 2012 8:22:29 GMT -5
Me too Tom. Can't wait to see the beach scene. I've used hot glue, but some brands don't hold up well in the sun. I agree, I think epoxy is your best bet.
Jo
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Post by connrock on Nov 4, 2012 8:26:43 GMT -5
Adrian and Jo,, Thanks,,, I've done the same with different glues and epoxy but the sand just doesn't look like it REALLY does in nature! Maybe what I want just can't be done,I'm barking up a dead tree and am WAY to fussy! LOL I've all but quit making silver jewelery due to the cost,can't just sit and do nothing so I started doing a bit of gas welding and trying to do a little metal art. As usual,I don't have the right tools and equipment so I have to constantly try to figure out how to do something with what I have here. I started out using brazing rods I had but ran out so now I'm using coat hangers and copper wire as filler rods and I'm having fits with "metal distortion" when gas welding thing steel plate! Kinda like baking a cake without flour! LOL WHY do I do this to myself,,,,,,,,ALL the time???  I always wonder what it would be like to have the right tools,equipment and supplies! LOL Thanks again,,, connrock |
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Post by Woodyrock on Nov 8, 2012 2:20:29 GMT -5
Adhere a layer of coarse cloth like burlap to the sheet metal, then put your sand layer on, get it arranged the way you want it....blowing it helps. Then, mist it with a white glue mixed half and half with water and a wee bit of alcohol. I watched diorama builders do this in a museum once...came out very realistic.
Woody
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Post by NatureNut on Nov 8, 2012 5:18:20 GMT -5
Woody to the rescue.  |
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Post by connrock on Nov 8, 2012 7:05:44 GMT -5
Hey Woody,,,Thanks,,,
That sounds interesting and it just may be what I'm lookin for!
Hmmmmmm,,,,,now where do I get dry sand after gettin 6" of snow last night? LOL
I'll dig some and bake it! LOL
When you say "White Glue" are you talking about Elmer's Wood Glue?
Thanks again,,,
connrock
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chloey
having dreams about rocks
100% Natural Labradorite rock head!
Member since July 2012
Posts: 52
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Post by chloey on Nov 8, 2012 11:38:31 GMT -5
The best white glue I have found for that is called Weld Bond, it dries clear ,you can get it in most hardware stores. I have used it for everything from art to holding a couch leg on lol. Takes about 24 hours to cure depending on thickness. I hope you post your creation  Chloey |
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blackout5783
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 248
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Post by blackout5783 on Nov 8, 2012 12:01:10 GMT -5
Golden artist mediums has a sand in acrylic medium. If I remember right, it dries clear. Comes in a jar as a paste, sand already included. You can find it at an art supply place that caters to serious painters.
Might be a little pricey though.
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Post by connrock on Nov 10, 2012 8:30:09 GMT -5
I think I'll try Woodys method using Weld Bond as the sand/acrylic is pretty expensive and this IS a low budget project!
Thanks all for your help!
connrock
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Post by connrock on Nov 24, 2012 8:16:49 GMT -5
Well,, I mixed the glue/water/alcohol,poured it into a spray bottle and no matter what I did to adjust the spray,,,it came out like a fire hose!I tried several spray bottles I have and got the same results!
Not one to quit on a new type of project I went to Plan B and if it works I'll let ya know how I did it.
If it doesn't work I'm on to Plan C! LOL
Do ya think there's enough letters in the alphabet to get me through this project??? LOL
There's always 1A too!
connrock
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Post by talkingstones on Nov 24, 2012 9:24:51 GMT -5
You'll get there! Around January when we're under a foot of snow would be a great time to finish so you've got a while yet, lol!
Cathy
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Post by connrock on Nov 25, 2012 7:32:05 GMT -5
Cathy,,,
If it's only a foot of snow I'm happy! LOL
Time wise,,,I HAVE to have all 12 of these projects finished by Christmas Eve as they are gifts for my family!
I'd post photos but there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING rock related in these projects and I don't want to open a can of worms here!
The only one I'm doing that has anything to do with rocks is this beach scene as I am using the sand that I have screened during the rock tumbling process.I've been saving this sand for years now and wondered what the heck I would ever do with it! LOL
Just goes to show you,,,,DO NOT throw ANYTHING out,and I don't! LOL
I'm going to try using more alcohol to see if it will thin down the glue so I can get it to spray.
The alcohol has got me thinking though,,,,should I use denatured or isopropyl???
connrock
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Post by helens on Nov 26, 2012 2:17:35 GMT -5
When you say spray bottle, are you talking about attached to a hose or like a Windex spray bottle? Why can't you just use an old Windex spray bottle with your mixture?
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Post by connrock on Nov 26, 2012 7:31:21 GMT -5
Helen,
I "am" using Windex type spray bottles but none of them will give me an actual spray.I get a straight stream no matter how I adjust them!
I don't want to thin down the glue more and the only thing I can think of is to add more alcohol but again,,,I'm not sure if the alcohol is supposed to be isopropyl or denatured,,,,or doesn't it make any difference?
connrock
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Post by NatureNut on Nov 26, 2012 8:16:27 GMT -5
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Post by connrock on Nov 27, 2012 8:43:27 GMT -5
Thanks Jo I'll give it a try.
I spent 2 days making a beach umbrella out of copper.Scrapped the 1st one and yesterday made a little progress on the 2nd attempt!
A LOT of trial and mostly error here!I spend more time on "Damage Control" then I do on actual progress! LOL
Who says there's nothin to do when you retire? LOL
Thanks again,,,
connrock
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