Liquid Metal Technologies has released a versatile range of innovative, environmentally responsible designer coatings which create the look and feel of real metals.

The range includes six standard metal finishes: Aluminium (Silver), Brass, Copper, Bronze, Iron, Gold/Platinum.

They can be sandblasted to produce fine detailed patterns, as well as being burnished for swirls or brushed effects, or they can be engraved. Liquid Metal Technologies' finishes oxidise like real metal and therefore can be deliberately aged with rust/oxidation and patinas. And if you wanted to preserve an effect at a particular stage of oxidation, the finish can then be sealed.

By rolling, brushing, spraying, or applying with a spatula an unending variety of finely textured surfaces can be created. Special, deeper surface effects, may also be created by applying a thick coating and working it with different techniques.

They are very different to veneer coatings, which look “faux” and cannot be worked like a solid object.

There is excellent adhesion to almost any surface such as clay, plaster, concrete, fibreglass, wood, styrene foam, even glass (and that is regardless of being applied to vertical or inverted faces). Unlike metal sheeting, it can be applied to any shape, including compound curves.

Liquid metal finishes may also be made 100 per cent waterproof if requested. In fact, they have been used in fountains and on pool ornaments. It has a durable finish and has even been used on outside pathway tiles.

Used on a lightweight substrate, the end result will be dramatically lighter in weight when compared to solid metals, and of course, much cheaper.

Most metal sheeting only comes in prefabricated standard sizes, so for larger projects seams will be inevitable. Liquid metal finishes can be applied continuously, so that there is no problem with seams showing. Also, unlike metal sheeting, when damaged (punctured, dented or buckled) it can be repaired on site to its original condition.

Low volatility solvents are employed which are virtually non-existent twenty-four hours after initial application.