The Framers Forum

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone’s ever been able to achieve a metallic silver satin finish on a dark wood moulding, i.e. replicate Wessex’s B1488 on a dark moulding?

Customer has two stepped dark wood frames that they ‘d like (if possible) to be painted/lacquered metallic silver so they look like B1488 9that I’m doing two other frames in for them).

If it can’t then they’ve selected one of DJ Simon’s aluminium wrapped wood mouldings instead.

Just curious if it’s ever been done with success, or is it easier to make a new frame - probably!

Thanks,

Sean

Maybe......

Depends how smooth the host moulding is. If it's a woody type finish some grain may show though when you put a metallic finish on it. Probably the best way is to get a can of spray silver. A metallic car colour from Halfords might be a start. I have sprayed small cushion mouldings like this with great success. The paint sticks really well on the plasticy compo used on this type of moulding, after a quick wipe over with turps to remove any greasy spots. You ought to be able to find a suitable shape moulding.
There are lots and lots of silvers however. It does give a nice soft satin sheen though. If you want it glossier, a coat or two of clear lacquer on top might bling it up a bit.

One advantage over wrapped ally (which I thought had died the death years ago ). If you (or the customer) mark the frame at any time you can always give it a quick respray. No way can you repair wrapped ally.