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Metal Preparation

Methods for Preparation of Duho Metal Panels
IMPORTANT – READ ENTIRE METHOD OF PREPARATION BEFORE PAINTING
CAUTION : Metal edges and corners are sharp, take precautions while handling panel and during painting process.
> Duho Metal Panels have been etched, degreased, sanded to create a tooth, and cleaned. The metal is in a raw state ready for use.
> Gloves are recommended at all times. Keep your panel in its wrapper until you are ready to prime or paint. Your panel is extremely susceptible to oils in one’s skin which will blemish the surface. Oxidation will occur when exposed to open air. Maintain your painting studio; keep clean, clear of dust, debris, and moisture. Keep metal panels clean!
> Consult an experienced Artist or an Artist Material Retailer for the proper product recommended for your medium to be used on a metal panel before you start composition.
> Be sure the surface is thoroughly clean, dry, free from all grease, wax, oil, and dust. Duho Studios has already completed this process for you.
> Primer is not required on Duho Metal Panels if you are using oil paints. For best results, panel should remain in the original packing from Duho Studios until ready to paint.    Metal is in a raw state; it has been through an etching solution, surfaces have been sanded to create a tooth for paint adhesion, entire panel is then degreased, and lastly cleaned with denatured alcohol to ensure proper bonding preparation. Proper handling is essential to the outcome of your work. Wear gloves and keep area clean. Enjoy the experience of oil painting directly onto the metal surface.
> Primer is not required for Duho Metal Panels if you are using alkyd paints. Same procedures as above are involved. Feel free to paint.
> Primer is needed for all other mediums. Prepare the entire surface with a bonding primer, specifically for metal substrates and follow manufacturer’s instructions.
> Paints tends to dry a bit slower on metal. The painting method of “fat over lean” is recommended during your composition.
> How to repair your Duho Metal Panel:
Finger Prints = Slight finger impressions on metal surface is due to improper handling. When the raw surface is touched by skin the oils will blemish the metal. First try to clean the area with OMS followed by denatured alcohol using a clean soft 100% cotton cloth. Air dry.
If finger print remains use a etching solution containing phosphoric acid, be sure to wear chemical gloves for protection. Read and follow directions carefully. Do not let the solution come in contact with your paint, skin, eyes or clothing. Area needs to be cleaned again with OMS and denatured alcohol.
Marring blemishes are usually caused by mishandling, moisture and air. Should the above method not work, area needs to be sanded. Use a premium aluminum oxide resin bonded paper or resin bonded emery cloth. Wear painter’s or cotton gloves and lightly sand area in a circular motion. Continue removing the corrosion until completely gone. Then clean the area once again with OMS and denatured alcohol. Air dry. Resume oil painting or prime area again before applying other mediums.
Scratches or unwanted paint can be remedied by the same method stated upon; gloves, sand, clean, dry, prime.
> Starting Over: Perhaps your composition is not working as you intended. Do not discard your metal panel! Painting is a learning process and
you can make your panel like new. Duho Metal Panels are constructed using “extra thick” solid metal plates. We go to these lengths using high-quality materials for the Artist’s benefit.
Scrape entire surface with a scraper or palette knife removing as much of the paint you can without scratching the metal surface. Be sure to wear gloves, eye protection, and mask. This is to protect you and the metal panel.
Take some premium aluminum oxide sandpaper and sand in a circular motion. Using a handheld electric oscillating orbital sander with a medium grit sandpaper will speed the removal of paint better and faster than by hand. Gradually sand using a finer grade sandpaper until all paint is removed. Finish with cleaning the surfaces with OMS and denatured alcohol. Your panel should be good as new. Prime and start all over, as many times you can endure.
> Seal your art work after completion. Be sure the paint has thoroughly dried. Depending upon the Artist’s time of completion and the amount of medium used, suggested instructions for sealing may occur a full year after composition is finished. Make your clients aware when to seal and with what product. Seal your work with an U.V. Protector.
> As always, protect your priceless work of art from direct sunlight, harsh temperatures, moisture, dirt and handling. Your art will last for many lifetimes and be cherished for many centuries.
duhostudios@live.com    www.fineartpanels.com
FINE ART PANELS Suggested Products For Preparation Of Duho Metal Panels
1. CLEANERS – Metal surfaces can be cleaned with: Odorless Mineral Spirits and then an application of Denatured Alcohol. Use a clean soft 100% natural cotton cloth. Be sure to clean entire surface, or streaking may occur. Repeat. Air dry.
2. GLOVES – Must use painters gloves at all times before priming or sealing. Hands, fingers, skin, perspiration, breath, debris, humidity must not have contact to the raw unprimed metal surface. Marring blemishes will occur if metal is unprotected.
3. SCRATCHES – Scratches can be cleared with a fine-grade sandpaper or emery cloth (circular motion). Unwanted paint can easily be removed with a painting or palette knife; scrape, sand, and clean before
resuming.
4. PRIMERS (CLEAR) – Many paint manufactures have priming and bonding products, ask your Artist Material Retailer or a high- quality Commercial Paint Distributor. Here are some products which have clear base primers for revealing the metal substrate:
-X-I-M 400 Clear Flash Bond/Primer/Sealer/Bonder.
-X-I-M Peel Bond Primer/Sealer/Filler/Bonder.
- Golden Artist Paints GAC 200 3 parts to 1 part GAC 500, then 1-2 applications of Fluid Matte Medium.
- InkAid Clear Gloss Precoat and Optional Adhesive Precoat Type II. – Urethane Primers are recommended with use of Lacquers.
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-Rust-0-leum and Krylon products have primer bases. These can be used, however their intended use is for the outdoors. When used indoors the primer could yellow in time.
-Rub cut garlic half (or pure 100% natural garlic juice) onto the raw, clean, dry metal surface (forming a bonding tack or tooth) . Air dry. In time garlic may produce a slight-shear greenish hue to the underpainting. Use high-grade oil color paints.
PRIMERS (OPAQUE-NEUTRAL-WHITE): Most Artist-Grade and Commercial-Grade Paint Manufacturers have specific bonding primers for metal (non-porous) substrate materials, omitting the need for an oil based lead white primer/paint.
PRIMERS (INK AND/OR INK JET PRINTING): Artist’s and printer’s need a pre-coat receptive which can provide a clean, clear, crisp imaging to withhold brilliant colors and remain high image definition on metal panels. Metal substrates require an adhesive additive which provides enhanced adhesion to smooth, non-porous surfaces: InkAID.
NO PRIMER – Priming is not required for oil paints on Duho Metal Panels. Our panels are prepared and ready to accept high-grade artist’s oil colors; ie: Gamblin, Holbein, Di Vinci, Rembrandt, Old Holland, Blockx, Le Franc & Bourgeois, Lascaux, Windsor and Newton, too many excellent paints to refer.
NO PRIMER – Priming is not required for alkyd paints on Duho Metal Panels. Ready to accept high-grade artist alkyd paints, ie; Holbein, Di Vinci, Windsor & Newton, too many to refer. Alkyd paints dry faster.
MEDIUMS – Oils, Stand Oils, OMS, Gamsol, Turpentine, Waxes, Acrylics, Gels, Impastos, Alkyd, Caseins, Gouache, Tempera, Enamels, Watercolors, Liquin, Damar, Maroger’s Medium, Isulating, Retouch Varnish, Picture Varnish, MSA (Mineral Spirit borne Acrylic) varnish, Driers and Drying Mediums are all appropriate during the painting process.
10. METHODS – Limitless techniques can be used on Duho Metal Panels: Air Brush, Brush, Acid Washes, Enameling, Encaustic, Etching, Grinding, Palette Knives, Rakes, Shapers, Collage, Mixed Media, Printing, Mounting, Stains, Patinas, Verdigris, Welding, Experimental Design.
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SEALERS – Paint must be thoroughly dried before a sealer can be used. Depending upon the amount of paint, mediums used in composition combined with the environment where the art is placed will differ in drying times. A great many manufacturers make products to seal artwork.    Refer to an Artist Material Retailer which would best suit your needs. Here are some products which we’ve had success:
- Synthetic Varnishes , Acrylic & Ketone Resin (with UV Protection): Archival Safe – Gamvar, Golden, Holbein, Lascaux, Le Franc, Old Holland, Schmincke, Sennelier, Windsor and Newton,etc.
- Commercial Products are recommended for metal on metal compositions; Ultra-Premium Solvent based Sealers, Polyurethane Sealers, Lacquers, Resins, X-I-M, Krylon, Rust-0-leum, or high- quality paint manufacturers; Benjamin Moore, Deft.
Disclaimer: Duho Studios LLC Fine Art Panels cannot guarantee paint results. Due to the wide variety of products, equipment, and conditions under which these products may be used, we can not guarantee, express or imply, as to the performance quality, archival durability nor longevity of their outcome . Duho Studios is not liable for any direct, indirect or consequential damages caused by the use of the mentioned products. The suitability of any product for an intended purpose shall be solely determined by the user. These are our suggestions only, which are intended to assist the Artist during their painting process. Duho Studios has tested these products on their Fine Art Panels as directed from manufacturers, and has found positive results. Duho Studios does not recommend any one product in particular.    We recommend testing products and applications to make sure there are no unforeseen issues in the outcome during or after production.