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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,568 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
797 Posts |
I am finishing a fun little project; a "penny accent wall". I have used a silicone adhesive to adhere numerous US cents to cover a small wall in our house. It is looking really nice; I have used mainly memorial and shield cents, but have also mixed in wheaties, steelies, Indian Head cents, and even some worn Flying Eagle cents. I painted the wall gray so the copper colors (various states of toning and wear) stand out nicely. There will be no grout. My concern is a final "clear coat". The room does have a sink but overall minimal exposure to water, no windows, just indoor lighting. I want to preserve the look of how it appears now. I figured that over time the coins will change in toning and darkness (along with kids and people wanting to touch the coins), so I wanted to put a thin protective coat/sealant over the wall. I do not want the coating to add any shine/sheen or extra thickness to the penny wall or cause any ill reaction with the metals. Just something to help preserve the current appearance over the years. I am fine if it has to be re-applieed every so often. I was thinking a clear matte finish paint maybe? I thought all of you coin people might have some good ideas...and please don't stone me for "ruining" these coins. :) Thanks so much! Edited by spaceace
09/04/2013 3:30 pm
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
 when it's done. John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
797 Posts |
I'll work on some pics when it is finished. It is a small room so it might be hard to get the full wall but I will see what I can do. For now though, any ideas on a finish coating?
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Spray Lacquer...its preserved coins in BU red condition for 200 years and those coins have sat in all sorts of terrible containers. You can handle em, they wont scratch easily. Its great stuff, but a bit shiny.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
797 Posts |
Benbyfield, Minwax makes a clear brushing lacquer that looks like it is available in aerosol and liquid. It is supposed to be for wood and metal so I assunme that would work? I would prefer something I can brush on a thin coat so I don't have any overspray problems. The only thing I am not sure of is how shiny something like that would be. If I go that route I will just try it on a test area first. Anybody ever use that minwax stuff (or something similar) they can recom?
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Moderator
United States
188770 Posts |
Quote:
...and please don't stone me for "ruining" these coins. Every day, way more cents will perish in worse ways, so you will get no grief from me.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
There was a thread here not long ago where a guy did his fireplace in Lincoln's. it looked really good actually.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Pillar of the Community
United States
797 Posts |
Yeah I think it does look really cool so far. A nice mix of warm copper colors and tones. I'll have to look at that thread. Right now I am checking into Rustoleum clear topcoat. They make lots of stuff for metals etc, so I think that might work well as a brush on sealing coat. not sure though, still looking for any thoughts on the subject. Thanks.
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Moderator
United States
188770 Posts |
Quote:
There was a thread here not long ago where a guy did his fireplace in Lincoln's. it looked really good actually. https://goccf.com/t/153376  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
797 Posts |
Thanks for the link. I checked that out and that is similar to what my wall looks like (only mine has many many more coins). I wonder what they did to seal it (if anything). It seems like most of what I am finding is in spray forms, which is ok, but I was hoping to avoid overspray. However, it would be quicker to do it with a spray. I can mask off the adjacent walls and spray it on I guess, seems like that would work. So a spray lacquer is the way to go? or a clear rustoleum product?
Edited by spaceace
09/05/2013 12:12 pm
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Moderator
United States
188770 Posts |
Quote:
I wonder what they did to seal it (if anything). I do not think it is sealed with anything... https://goccf.com/t/153376&whichpage=2#1398239Quote:
It's a gas fireplace, not a "true" one, and as such generates very little heat to the outside. The coins are Elmer's glued to cardboard, and the entire facade is easily removable. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
797 Posts |
Maybe my wall really doesn't need any final sealing/coating. I guess it really shouldn't change in appearance all that much in since it won't be exposed to sunlight or other harsh environments. I just really like the look of it as it currently stands with a random mix of some coins being new and shiny, or chocolate brown, or dark, or toned a bit or whatever (I took out any that were damaged or had unsightly wear and/or blemishes). I know that they will change some due to age and people touching them and rubbing them or whatever, but if there isn't any real concern about them all becoming all spotted up or dingy or all the lower ones (where people can reach them) looking oddly different as the years pass, then I might just go without a topcoat/sealer.
Edited by spaceace
09/05/2013 3:51 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
950 Posts |
I plan on doing this someplace in my home also, but I have yet to decide what would be best.
I look forward to seeing the pictures!
Also, with the materials you have used (silicone and lacquer) you should be able to pull the coins off easily and remove the coating with acetone if you decided you want to.
Edited by baysinger626
09/05/2013 3:55 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
797 Posts |
I don't know about "easily". Once the adhesive has dried fully those coins would probably pull out pieces of the drywall if I tried pulling them off. I am sure they could be scraped off but man the wall would not be a pretty sight. This is not a project that is easily removed or redone. It is totally worth it though, very tedious and time consuming but great to look at (at least that is what all my friends and family have said and I tend to agree :))
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,568 |
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Posted 09/04/2013 3:23 pm
