After gold plated polished brass, we recently also started to offer a PU coated version. Unfortunately, natural PU coated brass is not living up to our expectations.
The sample we used to promote the natural PU coated brass turned out really nice. But the model had an ‘easy surface’. This means it only had to be cleaned (not polished) and PU coated. However, most of our designers are making challenging models. Those have to be cleaned, and polished before getting PU coated. Adding the polishing step turned out to give the models a different look.
Cleaned , unpolished, PU coated brass
The Tiki Chess Queen (made by Whystler) is a great example of a model that doesn’t have an ‘easy surface’. Below you can see the comparison natural PU coated brass (with the added polishing step) and gold plated polished brass.
Natural PU coated, polished brass VS Gold plated polished brass
The Tiki on the left is polished and PU coated while the right one is gold plated polished. Both have a goldish look, but the right one has more bling, it’s a lot shinier than the left one. The left one also appears to be less ‘scratch-sensitive’ due to the PU coating. Also notice the grooves in the model (e.g. the big smile) which are clearly darker on the left.
At this very moment, natural PU coated brass doesn’t stand for the quality and the service we purvey. Therefore, we decided to remove the option from the 3D print lab. We continue our research and keep looking for a more natural brass looking. Sandblasted brass has already been tested but it gives the model a plastic look.
Sandblasted brass
Furthermore, we are experimenting with another way of finishing: magnetic polishing. This is going in the right direction, but it isn’t just yet the color we are after. We’re also trying to change the brass-composition to have a more reddish-shine after polishing. Fingers crossed.
Finally, we are considering offering brass with a raw finish, as it comes out of the mold: no coating is applied but it will oxidize in time when it’s not finished.
We love feedback so do let us know what you think (and want).
i was checkingout your PU and i personally find the tikki on the left with the black in the cracks a better looking product for what i need. it gives depth and looks antique. you might reconsider having it as one of your options as an antique look. the shiney one is ok, but like me my art i look the old look.
as far as the polishing aspect, why could”nt you use a brass vibrator they use for rifle brass, since there is a huge selection of cleaning medium. i have used them to restore old brass hinges and latches, they work great.
plus now they use ultra sonic. i have not seen this process to see how well it works, but it seems to be sold everywhere brass cleaning is sold.
Bye, bye “brass PU coated”.
I would love to see an uncoated brass that can oxidize! This would give it a beautiful antique look.
Shiny materials like the gold plated brass are great for some designs but if you need more contrast it”s not a good choice.
I”ve removed the PU coat from one of my designs. It seems it was tinted cause it looks much more silver without the coating. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, maybe it wasn”t the perfect mixture ratio? I really look forward to see an antique-style brass material!
I agree with the fact that the smile is ”less attractive” on the left one, but I hace to say I personally prefer the small details to have like a darker background. As chuch in #1 says, maybe it could be offered as an old fashioned aspect. On the other hand, if it”s quite scratchy its only a matter of specifying.
I personally love the sandblasted look, and I am not into the bling-bling at all (gold plated polish).
I also prefer the Natural Pu Coated because of the contrast it creates. It”s much like Stainless Steel, except that it allows for greater detail which I see as a big plus!
Can it not be left as an option, adding pictures that give a better idea of the end result depending on the design. Adding a note that explains, until you find another solution or add yet another option?
I just have to post this: We want a structured price for LARGE metal 3Dprinting !!
i.e: above X cm^2 : 10% discount , above Y cm^2: 20% discount etc… this way we can 3d print larger designs in metal – The “era” of tiny stuff is over ! – Thanks!
Dizingof