Thread: Steampunk + 2 Polymer Clay Scales for a Bengall & IXL

I just finished up this round of steampunk scales for a customer. I'm also happy to see some other guys doing steampunk themed scales and brushes



I have also had some success using polymer clay as a scale material.

Nice work Tim

The steampunk scales are really cool, the polymer scales....well I find them kinda funny (in a good way) because of the colors.

Nice job Tim,

And the pinning on the polymer clay looks really tight!

Very nice work.

Steampunk is difinitely an awesome idea for scales. Love it!

Is that first set copper? If not how did you get that look of aged copper? Thanks.

Originally Posted by Mastershake

Is that first set copper? If not how did you get that look of aged copper? Thanks.

Yep its copper. I epoxy the copper to lacewood. Before epoxying I hammer the copper with a ballpeen hammer. After everything is assembled I put a patina on the metal. I've tried 2 different methods.
1)Amonia +Salt
2) Vinegar + Salt
Both work well. I get a tub with a lid and fill the base with the fluid +salt mixture. I made a hammock for the scales to sit on (out of packaging tape) just above the liquid and then put the lid over it all. The fumes (especially from the amonia) will add some patina to the copper. Sometimes I put a few drops directly on the metal itself. Doing this will give "smudges" and put some verdigris (green) on the scales. Many times I sand most of the patina off and leave only what has accumulated in the dimples (from being hammered).

When I'm happy with the patina I put an oil-based sealer (Arm-R-Seal) over the whole set of scales. (I actually use "Gloss")


This adds some protection to both the wood and the metal while keeping the patina from wiping off or getting "worse" over time. We only want it look aged and worn...not actually be that way