Design expert shares tips on preserving metal home decor

Most of us at some point or the other have been bestowed with generationally preserved keepsakes Whether it be a rustic wooden photo frame silver plated dinner set handcrafted cast iron mirror or metallic showpieces and collectibles it is hard to let go of certain exclusive elements especially if they are a part of our home These are the objects you want to handle with utmost careWhat better time than the holiday season to get these decor items out to prep the house for the festivities We all know the power these decor pieces hold when it comes to elevating the appearance of any space But no matter how excellent the quality of the decor item is it cant always endure the changing weather conditions and rising levels of indoor pollution This is especially true with metallic decor pieces and accessories that hold exceptional longevity but often get enveloped with rust and scrapesThe silver lining is that Palash Agrawal Founder and Chief Design Officer of Vedas Exports shares several ways you can maintain and protect your metal art from wearing down so that you can enjoy them for years to come while ensuring they are as close to their original state as possiblePowder Coat your Metal FigurinesThe powder coating technique has efficiently substituted the traditional painting method This is because powdercoated finishes are thicker more durable and more challenging than their conventional counterparts Powder coating involves layering the metal art with a wellcured dry pigment powder which is applied with the help of a powder coating gun Once the product is powder coated you can expose it to heat to improve its longevityIf you apply a layer of primer first in a powdercoated form your metal art will certainly resist corrosion and oxidation in the long runOpt for Commercial CleanersIf your decor items were left in storage mostly unattended they have likely formed a thick layer of rust which will not come off easily For such stubborn rust stains a commercial rust cleaner can come to your rescue These cleaners are found in either liquid or jelly form that can instantly dissolve the rust on your metallic decor items Irrespective of the nature of the product it is recommended to take precautionary measures like wearing gloves and a mask when dealing with them since they contain harsh and toxic chemicalsApply a Light Application of a Clear CoatThis commonly recommended technique is used to protect artworks especially pieces exposed to excessive sunlight or moisture Clear coating is best suited to metal decor objects with a powder coating layer offering added shielding from acid UV rays rain mildew and chlorine The good part is that a clear coat is nonpigmented and transparent and can be easily applied to a metal material and paintwork However note that clear coating demands reapplication from time to time without which the artwork is likely to get rusted after a few monthsTry a UV Protection SprayMost of us thought a UV protection spray was meant to protect our skin and hair but now you can also use it to preserve your metal decor Though metal itself remains unaffected by harmful UV rays due to the presence of free electrons that absorb light the paint covering the object can fade bleach and crack Here is where the UV protectant spray helps and extends the life of the decor productUse Sandpaper for Rust RemovalIf you do not want to use harsh chemicals on your products try sanding the surface till the bare metal is visible You can try sandpaper with fine grit between 24 to 80 If the object still appears rusty use a coarser grit till the rust is removed and a smooth surface is attained If you are uncertain about manual sanding get a machine sander to fasten the process If you notice rust chips or flaking paint remove them with a wire brush before sandingWith some of these maintenance techniques you can rustproof your precious metal decor and extend its shelf life beyond just a few years But remember to repeat one of these processes at least once or twice a year to maintain the look and quality of your decor items for years to come We assure you those added efforts wont go in vainAlso Read Design experts share tips to make your home winter readyThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever