Improvements in and Process for Finishing the Surface of Aluminium Sheets to Render them Suitable for Artistic Purposes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Mar., 1900-Accepted, 28th Apr., 1900
Improvements in and Process for Finishing the Surface of Aluminium
Sheets to Render them Suitable for Artistic Purposes.
I, HUDSON HORSLEY, of 46, Lincoln Street, and 3, Preston Street, Barrow-in-
Furness, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates, to improvements in and to a process for finishing the
surface of aluminium sheets to render them suitable for artistic purposes, the
object being to produce brilliant shaded effects which are of considerable assist-
ance during the after painting of the sheets or plaques and which moreover
increase the artistic value of the latter.
In carrying out my invention I take ordinary commercial sheets of aluminium
of any suitable gauge or thickness and cut them to the required shape and size.
These sheets are then subjected to a process consisting in first placing the sheets
in a bath of sulphuric acid or an acid capable of removing impurities or foreign
matter from the face of the sheets and leaving them with a dull white appearance.
After remaining in the bath a sufficient time they are then taken out and washed
in water to remove all trace of the acid. The sheets are then subjected on that
side which is to be painted, to the action of a revolving scratch brush, or brush
consisting of tempered steel wire. By moving the plates in contact with this
brush first in one direction and then in another or others and preferably without
crossing the path or paths or previous line or lines of action of the brush with
the subsequent line or lines of action I produce most brilliant shaded effects of
considerable value and assistance to the painter in painting in a landscape or
other scene. For instance such effects are extremely useful in serving as a
base for a representation of sky or water or of streams of light i.e. sunbeams,
moonbeams; the remainder of the scene being filled in by the painter, in oils
or the like in accordance with his subject. In such cases very little painting
is required to complete an effective representation of say a slightly clouded sky
or the surface of a lake or river.
The shaded effects may be produced on any portion of the sheet being operated
on where they will be most effective in the general scene to be represented, and
whilst the process referred to is I consider the best means of attaining the end
in view I would say that as an alternative process the commercial sheets may be
first buffed by a leather, felt or similar wheel, a fine abrasive substance such as
rouge being used on the wheel, the plates being afterwards cleaned or freed from
dirt by benzine, naptha or the like and finally finished by the steel scratch
brush.
1000
WILLIAM H. TAYLOR,
Swan Chambers, 69, Market Street, Manchester,
Agent for the Applicant

page_text: Improvements in and Process for Finishing the Surface of Aluminium
Sheets to Render them Suitable for Artistic Purposes.
I, HUDSON HORSLEY, of 46, Lincoln Street, and 73, Preston Street, Barrow-in-
Furness, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in and to a process for finishing the
surface of aluminium sheets to render them suitable for artistic purposes, the
object being to produce brilliant shaded effects which are of considerable assist-
ance during the after painting of the sheets or plaques and which moreover
increase the artistic value of the latter.
In carrying out my invention I take ordinary commercial sheets of aluminium
of any suitable gauge or thickness and cut them to the required shape and size.
These sheets are then subjected to a process consisting in first placing the sheets
in a bath of sulphuric acid or an acid capable of removing impurities or foreign
matter from the face of the sheets and leaving them with a dull white appearance.
After remaining in the bath a sufficient time they are then taken out and washed
in water to remove all trace of the acid. The sheets are then subjected on that
side which is to be painted, to the action of a revolving scratch brush
consisting of tempered steel wire. By moring the plates in contact with this
brush first in one direction and then in another or others and preferably without
crossing the path or paths or previous line or lines of action of the brush with
the subsequent line or lines of action I produce most brilliant shaded effects of
considerable value and assistance to the painter in painting in a landscape or
other scene.
For instance such effects are extremely useful in serving as a
hase for a representation of sky or water or of streams of light, i.e. sunbeams,
moonbeams the remainder of the scene being filled in by the painter in oils
or. the like in accordance with his subject. In such cases very little painting
is required to complete an effective representation of say a slightly clouded sky
or the surface of a lake or river.
The shaded effects may be produced on any portion of the sheet being operated
on where they will be most effective in the general scene to be represented, and
whilst the process referred to is I consider the best means of attaining the end
in view I would say that as an alternative process the commercial sheets may be
first buffed by a leather, felt or similar wheel, a fine abrasive substance such as
rouge being used on the wheel, the plates being afterwards cleaned or freed from
dirt by benzine, naptha or the like and finally finished by the steel scratch
brush.
Sheets of aluminium operated upon in the manner referred to are not only
- suitable for taking the place of ordinary porcelain plaques but may be used for
all kinds of artistic purposes. Thus they form admirable Christmas cards, door
panels, photograph frames etc., whilst the ductility of the metal enables the
sheets to be shaped or bent to whatever form may be desired, the shaded effect
being produced before the sheets are bent or stamped to the required form or
afterwards in accordance with the character of the object.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The improved process for finishing the surface of aluminium shoots
en

page_text: as to render them suitable for artistic purposes consisting in first steeping the
sheets in a bath of sulphuric acid, removing trace of acid therefrom by washing
in water and finally subjecting them to the action of a revolving wire scratch
brush substantially as described.
2. The improved process for finishing the surface of aluminium sheets so as
to render them suitable for artistic purposes consisting in first subjecting the
sheets to the action of the leather, felt or similar buff wheel on which rouge is
placed, removing dirt by benzine, naptha or the like and finally subjecting them
to the action of a revolving wire scratch brush substantially as described.
3. As a new article of manufacture aluminium sheets with a shaded effect
produced on their surface by means of either of the processes referred to in
Claims 1 and 2.
Dated this 22nd day of March 1900.
WILLIAM H. TAYLOR,
Stephens Buildings, 62, Market Street, Manchester,
Agent for the Applicant.