tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post7327845492208415147..comments2024-03-18T10:53:57.845-04:00Comments on All Things Ruffnerian, a Design Blog and More: Your Advice, Please!Mark D. Ruffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-14327279561047086212013-02-01T15:32:29.273-05:002013-02-01T15:32:29.273-05:00Dear Lynne,
Thank you, thank you for your reply! ...Dear Lynne,<br /><br />Thank you, thank you for your reply! I would never have thought of aluminum, but it makes great sense now that you've mentioned it. I appreciate the advice of experience, and I knew I'd find it!Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-75630005277244708772013-02-01T15:01:16.329-05:002013-02-01T15:01:16.329-05:00great recipe, Scott!great recipe, Scott!Lynne Rutterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-81898107293584372002013-02-01T14:58:14.938-05:002013-02-01T14:58:14.938-05:00Hi Mark
I cannot believe no one has mentioned this...Hi Mark<br />I cannot believe no one has mentioned this but it's most certainly not silver leaf, it's aluminum, I can tell by its color and the shape and size of the leaf, as well as your description of its garish sheen. Clean it as much as you can with steel wool and denatured alcohol. If the size used was acrylic the alcohol will easily take it off. If not then it will clean the surface well. Prime it with something that will stick to problematic surfaces (like shellac, i.e. BIN) and paint it-- but me being a luddite I'd advise casein (black Plaka, or Shiva brand perhaps) as that will give you the super matte basalt finish you are looking for. Acrylic is really too glossy, even when it's matte. And I love Theresa's suggestion of using rottonstone to age it a touch.Lynne Rutterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-73649621229850244272013-01-31T21:39:56.016-05:002013-01-31T21:39:56.016-05:00Thanks to all my blogging friends for your good su...Thanks to all my blogging friends for your good suggestions. I'll let you know how it turns out.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-56336442993003005502013-01-31T11:07:38.881-05:002013-01-31T11:07:38.881-05:00I appreciate your expertise, Theresa, because I do...I appreciate your expertise, Theresa, because I do know you deal with this sort of project often! The concensus seems to be for the fine steel wool. Thanks for the input!Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-9145300400185286902013-01-31T09:21:28.773-05:002013-01-31T09:21:28.773-05:00As someone who deals with this almost daily...I wo...As someone who deals with this almost daily...I would never try to strip or remove the silver leaf. As Gina said, maybe use #000 steelwool to remove anything unstable. The basalt would be nice. :) I would also use something like Farrow and Ball emulsion or Annie Sloan chalk paint for the flat, dusty black and then, maybe some rottenstone lightly dusted in the crevices. Good luck sorting through all of these comments!Theresa Cheekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11429069123185290732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-35958493132018927182013-01-30T09:06:28.083-05:002013-01-30T09:06:28.083-05:00Hello, Jérôme,
Wax! I hadn't thought of that....Hello, Jérôme,<br /><br />Wax! I hadn't thought of that. What an interesting idea, which takes me in a whole new direction. Thanks!Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-9625687119717031482013-01-30T09:03:57.753-05:002013-01-30T09:03:57.753-05:00Hi, JC - Thanks for the #0000 and brass brushes in...Hi, JC - Thanks for the #0000 and brass brushes info. I'm appreciating all the blogging advice — my direction is forming and being refined!Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-69670315141811288552013-01-30T03:17:08.472-05:002013-01-30T03:17:08.472-05:00Hello Mark,
I love your new acquisition and I com...Hello Mark,<br /><br />I love your new acquisition and I completely agree with you about his classic look. I would just paint on the silver painting with primer and afterwards with paint in the color you want. If you wish to give more depth you can put a little wax on it.<br /><br />Greetings<br />XX<br />JérômeMaison de linhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06875063369434377517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-36744823342281352972013-01-29T22:43:05.314-05:002013-01-29T22:43:05.314-05:00If it's silver leaf, it would be microscopical...If it's silver leaf, it would be microscopically thin, and you can probably buff-off most of it with fine steel wool (super fine #0000), and soft brass brushes. If it's paint, then you can probably just prime it and paint over it. If you want a very smooth, even finish, I'd suggest using light coats of spray paint. If you want a more uneven painted look, then a brush would work fine.JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09831757279235998895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-36837057434853225592013-01-29T21:39:59.055-05:002013-01-29T21:39:59.055-05:00Hi, Loi - The finish as is would look great with t...Hi, Loi - The finish as is would look great with those Gustavian antiques at your place! If I do go in the basalt direction, I agree that spray paint would insure a smooth finish. I'll be reporting back at a later date . . .<br /><br /><br />Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-65944485203781780572013-01-29T21:34:14.675-05:002013-01-29T21:34:14.675-05:00Hi, Scott - I appreciate your input because I know...Hi, Scott - I appreciate your input because I know you have a lot of experience in paint techniques. We're on the same page with water-based materials (I've gone through endlessly flaking ceilings, for one thing). Thanks for the link; I'll give it a study!Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-8811847868957501402013-01-29T20:41:52.259-05:002013-01-29T20:41:52.259-05:00Hi, Mark - I hope you are well! Love your new acq...Hi, Mark - I hope you are well! Love your new acquisition. I quite like the finish as-is. If you want it black like basalt ware, I'd use spray paint for an even matte finish. Removing the silver paint could damage the plaster. Enjoy your treasure!<br />Loi Woodside Parkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13981644571968878448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-53471427018825667212013-01-29T19:38:58.630-05:002013-01-29T19:38:58.630-05:00Hi Mark,
Wow, so much wisdom here. I hesitated wh...Hi Mark,<br /><br />Wow, so much wisdom here. I hesitated when you first posted this and now you've got a full comments section. <br /><br />I've always loved the basalt Wedgwood collection at the Huntington and think that's a great way to go. Me, I wouldn't strip it. What a messy process that is. There are primers that will allow you to go from an oil based finish to a water based one but it may not even be necessary. The adhesive quality of acrylic mediums is so advanced these days. I always use water based materials. I would make a paint out of an acrylic medium and powered pigments, some graphite perhaps, some powdered charcoal, black, and diatomacious earth for the flattest possible finish. Douglas and Sturgess is my source.<br /><br />http://www.douglasandsturgess.com/Scott Watermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05811055807138445326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-92107714579211117282013-01-29T16:27:03.369-05:002013-01-29T16:27:03.369-05:00Hello, smr,
I have no idea where this was made, b...Hello, smr,<br /><br />I have no idea where this was made, but as I look at the more delicate details and then the rather dramatic, deep dimensionality of the legs, I think it was well done.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-75214577705043185242013-01-29T16:23:09.563-05:002013-01-29T16:23:09.563-05:00Dear Kirk,
Another great color, and I don't t...Dear Kirk,<br /><br />Another great color, and I don't think ivory for this piece would be at all old-fashioned (provided I achieve a flat color). I'm starting to see a procedure emerging — superfine steel wool, toothbrush, repeat and then perhaps paint.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-72513804825527615712013-01-29T16:17:05.638-05:002013-01-29T16:17:05.638-05:00Hi, Stefan - Thanks for your vote in favor of my o...Hi, Stefan - Thanks for your vote in favor of my original idea. I think the flat black would certainly call more attention to the design and detail, as would a flat terracotta.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-88129327329708155892013-01-29T16:14:08.905-05:002013-01-29T16:14:08.905-05:00Dear Gina, I just revisited your posting on verdig...Dear Gina, I just revisited your posting on verdigris, and that would certainly be an interesting alternative, especially as the plaque might grace an outdoor seating area. Thanks for the suggestion!Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-78110593206649689022013-01-29T15:36:31.546-05:002013-01-29T15:36:31.546-05:00I agree with others who say live with it for a whi...I agree with others who say live with it for a while before you decide what to do <br /><br />It's an interesting mixture of styles..like you say the art deco clouds.. I do like the classical elements .<br /><br />Hasnt that cherub got a flat profile , I wonder where it was made ? smrnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-3470757592349539702013-01-29T14:58:10.256-05:002013-01-29T14:58:10.256-05:00Dear Mark,
Firstly I love the look of this plaque...Dear Mark,<br /><br />Firstly I love the look of this plaque and the almost Regency looking cherubs with their junior versions of ancient Grecian noses.<br /><br />Secondly I have no idea about how to clean the silver off although if it is flaking then AGA's suggestion is to give it a good going over with a soft toothbrush to remove all loose fragments, and provide a firm foundation for whatever treatment you decide upon.<br /><br />Thirdly, call me old fashioned but I think painting it an ivory colour might look rather nice. Either that or the terra-cotta look that Helen suggests. That would give it a very Renaissance look.<br /><br />I shall be interested to see how it all goes.<br /><br />I love a good restoration project!<br /><br />KirkAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08642768891794895642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-23076297870454909572013-01-29T14:48:16.078-05:002013-01-29T14:48:16.078-05:00Not sure how to get there but definitely agree it ...Not sure how to get there but definitely agree it needs to be a flat black - don't forget to show us the results!ArchitectDesign™https://www.blogger.com/profile/01481754380363676771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-14690757448388189082013-01-29T13:56:26.244-05:002013-01-29T13:56:26.244-05:00Dear Mark, How do you feel about verdigris? I wou...Dear Mark, How do you feel about verdigris? I would first use very fine steel wool to loosen the flaky parts. A very good 2-step verdigris treatment is available in most craft stores. You can control the amount of acid to copper ratio by repeatedly applying the product. It will continue to change color for some time. I have posted a how to here http://ginaceramics.blogspot.com/2009/09/verdigris.html <br /><br />Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03429484235583035595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-56672183608844238092013-01-29T11:41:31.623-05:002013-01-29T11:41:31.623-05:00Mark again, Rosemary - this could certainly be the...Mark again, Rosemary - this could certainly be the way to go, and I notice there's an outlet in Tampa, Florida. Thanks again for an interesting link - I'll be looking further into Annie Sloan's paint in any event.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-22027934971622058702013-01-29T11:31:07.086-05:002013-01-29T11:31:07.086-05:00Hello, Jim - Thanks for the vote of confidence! Li...Hello, Jim - Thanks for the vote of confidence! Living with this for a while is sage advice, and I will do so. I generally don't jump into projects; some of the things I've done around the house have fermented in my mind for years.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-89645336771533957532013-01-29T11:25:54.906-05:002013-01-29T11:25:54.906-05:00Dear Erika,
I see those clouds as being reminisce...Dear Erika,<br /><br />I see those clouds as being reminiscent of Art Deco, and the plaque could probably live happily in an Art Deco room, silvered as it currently is.<br /><br />The process of rubbing graphite onto plaster and getting the effect you describe is brilliant, and it reminds me of the work of Agelio Batle, who in fact is making graphite sculptured writing implements.<br /><br />I love your idea of the busts in the library. I could also see them between a door's broken pediment.<br /><br />Best wishes, MarkMark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.com