Urethane Sculpture Surface Effects

Urethane Varnish

• Urethane varnish comes in numerous colors. Applying it to your sculpture will both seal it with a durable and flexible finish while achieving the appearance that you are seeking. In applying a smooth coat of urethane varnish to the surface of your work, be careful to avoid any puddles or drips. Allow the first coat to dry for at least 24 hours; then apply a second coat.

Shellac Under Varnish

• Another urethane varnish effect requires first applying a coat of shellac to the sculpture and allowing it to thoroughly dry. Once the shellac is dry, apply a coat of varnish in whatever color meets your need for that particular sculpture. The resulting finish will be rich, deep and long-lasting.

Aging Effects

• Patinas and metal finishes can create captivating and intriguing aging surface effects on sculptures. Metal coatings consist of ground metal in a water-based acrylic and, when combined with patinas, create many effects. For example, an intriguing effect is achieved after applying an iron urethane coating on a sculpture and overlaying it with a rust patina followed by a dark-green patina. The result is a sculpture with the appearance of having been long and deeply rusted.

Verdigris Effect

• Another effect can be achieved by applying a 50/50 mixture of iron and bronze metal urethane coating, then overlaying it with a dark-green patina. The combination creates a verdigris effect, emulating the greenish appearance of bronze, copper and brass, similar to what you see on the Statue of Liberty, bronze statues and brass adornments on buildings.

Seal to Preserve

• Once the urethane product or products you have applied have thoroughly dried, spray on a sealer to protect the finish. Usually the sealer is a lacquer available from dozens of manufacturers. Lacquer finishes adhere to the surface and are flexible. Some types of lacquer are formulated for outdoor use and can be applied to any number of sculpture materials. In addition to lacquers, other urethane sprays are available that will seal and protect the surface effects, usually for many years.