To complement our metalworking capabilities and as a stand alone service, we have added in-house abrasive cleaning including several blast cabinets and a blasting room. We offer a range of abrasives tailored to meet project specifications. Paint and corrosion can be removed safely to reveal the true condition of the work and to facilitate repairs. Mill scale and other contaminants are also removed to properly prepare surfaces for refinishing. In addition we can brush-apply or spray on coatings in the controlled environment of our paint booth. We work closely with our clients to develop treatments that best satisfy the long term survival of new and historic work, while meeting worker safety and environmental protection requirements. Our state-of-the-art equipment offers a better alternative to what is generically referred to as "Sandblasting". We mostly use aluminum oxide abrasive, which is recyclable and does not pose the health risks associated with the use of sand."

Click images to view enlarged

Those areas that cannot be spray painted effectively are painted by hand to insure the best possible protection for the metal.

The proper application of protective coatings is crucial to the life of ornamental metalwork. Our trained personnel and painting facility insure that coatings are applied uniformly and safely.

A late 19th or early 20th Century Spanish style wrought iron gate is a little worse for wear. Removal of rust and paint will reveal its true condition for full repairs to be made.

Lower portion of the Spanish style gate with twisted bars and collars

A nearby dealer in fine antiques has about a hundred feet of this unusual 19th-C wrought iron fencing in stock. VMI cleaned, repaired and painted one section to show what it could look like when restored to its original condition. Here is has been primed and is ready for finish coating.

This is the gate finished with its final coat of paint ready for an exterior installation in a public space. The lateral scrolls were reinforced with riveting identical to what was used in the rest of the gate to prevent repeat bending of the scrolls. Sometimes this type of careful "improvement" to the original design is warranted to insure better long term conservation. Even such minimal modifications, however are avoided in true restoration work to preserve the full integrity of significant historic metalwork.