Care And Maintenance

Living Finishes

About Living Finishes

Banker Wire utilizes a wide range of alloys for our wire mesh, among these are a group of metal alloys that are referred to as “Copper based alloys”. Brass, Bronze, and Copper all contain some percentage of copper content. The reactive nature of copper towards oxygen and moisture puts this group of alloys in an ever changing state of oxidation that we know as “Tarnish”. The timing and degree of this tarnish will vary and is dependent upon the situation of both handling of the material and the environment in which this material is located. Similar to a potted plant, the health of that plant depends on the care and location. For this reason, we can categorize the copper based alloys as “Living Finishes”.

The unique beauty of how brass, bronze or copper displays in a wire mesh pattern is unmatched by other alloys or secondary finishes. The choice in using these materials in application is either to embrace the change that will occur or, introduce processes that will mitigate change. If either preservation of the bright alloy is desired or an accelerated darkening of the alloy is more appealing, there are secondary processes that can be introduced to achieve this outcome. However, there are limitations and variations that can occur in these processes due to the “Living” nature of the alloy.

To preserve the bright characteristic of these alloys, the surface of the metal must be starved from oxygen and moisture. A protective coating of any kind that creates a barrier to oxygen will do and the effectiveness of protecting the metal from oxidation is equal to that coatings performance. Anything from a wax to lacquer to even grease will do. With exterior environments being the most troublesome in terms of the effectiveness of the available coatings, success in maintaining the appearance of these alloys lies predominantly in interior applications.

Secondary Finishes for Interior Applications

• US10A: Preserves the bright, tarnish-free appearance of brass, bronze, and copper by applying a clear lacquer topcoat to the mesh.
• US10B: Accelerates the darkening patina of brass, bronze, and copper followed by a clear lacquer topcoat.

Handling Bare Living Finish Products

The icon displayed above is used to indicate a Living Finish and will appear on sample packaging, quotes, and in various places on our website when applicable. When a bare Living Finish has been chosen for a project, we recommend enhanced handling protocols to ensure that the wire mesh looks it’s very best. Below are recommendations on how to handle and store your Living Finish wire mesh:

• Handle the wire mesh with extreme care and avoid using bare hands to touch the metal, the natural oils on your hands can promote rapid tarnishing. Always use clean gloves when handling the product, changing them as necessary.
• Cleaning a bare Living Finish by any method will most likely result in varying degrees of uneven luster, coloring, and tarnish.
• Protect the mesh from contact with other surfaces while fabricating or installing.
• Store the mesh in protective packaging within an indoor environment until ready to use.

Comparing the photos above: Both the fireplace application and wall cladding application use S-16 woven wire mesh in copper. In the wall cladding application, the copper is further along in it’s oxidization which can lend a unique, almost rustic appearance to the space.

US10A and US10B Secondary Finishes

About US10A

The US10A finish applies to copper based alloys such as copper, bronze, and brass. The US10A finish physically removes the tarnish from the top layer of the bronze, brass, or, copper. To prevent the finish from changing, a standard lacquer topcoat is applied and is suitable for interior use only. The continued protection of the finish therefore, is subject to the care of the lacquer finish.

About US10B

The US10B finish applies to copper based alloys such as copper, bronze, and brass. The US10B process creates a darkened oxide layer on the surface of the mesh material. To prevent the darkened finish from changing, a standard lacquer topcoat is applied and is suitable for interior use only. The continued protection of the darkened finish therefore, is subject to the care of the lacquer finish.

Cleaning US10A and US10B

Maintaining the lacquer finish can be done by regularly wiping the surfaces with a dry, soft cloth. Wipe the mesh firmly, but do not apply extreme pressure or rub too aggressively; this could cause heat to build up which may distort the finish. Do not use paper cloths as they tend to scratch the surface of the lacquer.

If the lacquer has dirt or grease on it, clean with a soft, damp cloth. Once dry, lightly wipe with an additional dry, soft cloth to remove any remaining moisture.

Never use metal polish or abrasives of any kind to clean a lacquered surface as they will scratch the coating. Do not use commercial liquid cleaners. Most cleaners contain trace amounts of solvent, ammonia, or ammines that can break down the coating. This breakdown can range from a slight distortion of the gloss to completely removing the coating from the substrate.