Then we will follow our standard procedure for setting a tablet on a base. Its best to avoid touching the bronze with your hands, if at all possible. Or is it a pre-need monument? We will then give the stone a wash using our granite cleaner so it will look just like new!
We also let the stone lay level until the epoxy is fully set up to ensure that the plaque doesnt become dislodged or move around while we are sealing the stone back onto the foundation or base. He also spent two summers out on the road setting monuments. That passion is why our experienced team dedicates themselves to their craft, ensuring every plaque refinishing meets our high standards for quality and service, as well as yours.
This bronze WWI memorial plaque was brought to us from Michigan for a full restoration. The refinished plaque twill look as good as a brand new plaque. For tablets well lay it on our cart and for slants like we have in our example, well lay it on wood and rubber.
And how much would it cost? The next step is to actually drill the four holes into the stone for the bolts to be inserted into. Thats something well continue to stand by as long as were around and something you can expect anytime you walk through our doors! Because bronze is a copper alloy, time and weather conditions causebronze plaquesto become dull and eventually form a green patina on the surface.
This is the stone the military plaque will be mounted to. By taking the appropriatesteps in cleaning bronze plaques, as well as repairing and refinishing them, our team has restored many bronze markers to their former luster and appearance and at competitive prices.
Look at this picture to see what were talking about: Now that we have the holes drilled, we need to use some sort of adhesive to ensure that the bolts on the plaque will stay inside of the holes for years to come. Dustin is married to his beautiful bride who he met while traveling in South Africa.
The epoxy will become super hard and keep the plaque in place for decades to come. Its easier and quicker but creates the potential for many more problems, both now and in the future. Again, you can see that the polished front of this slant is protected from damage by the wood and rubber. While some people like the look of an aged bronze plaque, many would prefer to keep it looking the way it did on the day it was purchased.
First, we will clean off any of the old setting compound that is on the base and the bottom of the tablet to ensure a clean seal. Heres another angle of the stone.
Established in 1937, Paul W. Zimmerman Foundries Company is one of the few continually operating, family owned and run foundries in Pennsylvania.
additional inscriptions, cemeteries, cemetery headstones, inscriptions, bronze, bronze art, bronze garden scuptures, bronze statues, bronze sculpture, bronze plaques, bronze plaque, cemetery headstones, cemetery memorials, cemetery plaques, commemorative plaques, dedication plaques, dog memorial, engraved plaques, fawkner cemetery, springvale cemetery, beautiful memorials, garden memorials, garden memorial, garden plaques, garden plaque, garden statues, granite headstone, granite headstones, granite plaques, granite plaque, graves, grave, grave headstone, grave headstones, grave plaques, grave inscriptions, grave stones, grave stone, grave plaque, gravestones, gravestone, headstone, headstones, head stone, headstone cleaning, headstone design, headstone designs, headstone epitaphs, epitaphs, headstone inscriptions, headstone inscription, headstone memorials, headstone plaques, headstone prices, headstone quotes, headstones, headstones epitaphs, headstones for graves, headstones melbourne, melbourne headstones, inscriptions, house plaques, large statues, memorial garden plaques, memorial headstone, memorial headstones, memorial monuments, memorial plaques, memorial plaque, memorial stone, memorial stones, memorial tree, memorials, memorials melbourne, memorial headstones, memorial, monuments, name plaques, name plaques, outdoor statue, out door statues, pet memorials, pet headstones, pet headstone, pet memorial, pet memorials, pet memorial plaques, pet memorial stones, pet plaques, plaques, plaque, plaques, statues, tombstone, stone, stone statues, tombstones. Weve encountered many situations (as can be seen in this picture) of evidence that a plaque was installed while the tablet was still vertical. I need my mothers plaque refurbished It restores your marker to its previous appearance and protects it from the weather and elements once more. Our first task is to lay the stone down so we can have a level surface to work on. If the plaque is mounted on a wooden or stone base, wipe the base down with a wet cloth. Here is the final product! Here you can see our setter using a tube to blow all of the dust from each hole. Specialising in restorations and renovations of old monuments.
He originally started working in the art department at Family Memorials and has also spent some time in our manufacturing shop. Create a paste by mixing together equal parts of flour and salt in a small container, adding a few drops of vinegar until the mixture has a consistency that is similar to toothpaste. Any info is appreciated Sincerely, we respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously, Here at Family Memorials, we offer complete.
Repeat if necessary. November 2014. Silicon doesnt harden like the epoxy we use does. Impact Signs is proud to be a partner of the National Alliance of Preservations Commissions http://napc.uga.edu/directory/, Impact Signs Inc. All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy, Backlit Letters (Stainless Steel Halo Lighted), Frosted Glass Vinyl Graphics / Privacy Film.
Use cotton swabs to remove debris that has accumulated within crevices and grooves.
We do all this while constantly measuring everything to make sure the tablet is as close to perfectly centered on the base as possible. Dustin has worked in the monument industry for just over three years. This makes it much more difficult to ensure that the plaque will be centered, flat against the stone, and adhered well. #2153979238, September 2018 Rather, we take every step possible and use the best materials we can get our hands on to ensure we are providing our customers with the very best product. Let the wax dry for half an hour, then buff it with a clean dry cloth. We transport the plaques to site in their cardboard packaging to ensure they dont get damaged in transit. They dont. Great info on how to mount a bronze plaque to a tombstone. | Legal Notice | 2000-2007 Bronze Plaques. We dont claim to be the cheapest monument company out there, but we do claim to have the best product you can find. Now that the plaque is free of dirt and grime, its time to tackle the discoloration.
This is the best option out there because it is specifically designed to be used outdoors when attaching stone to other materials (such as bolts). We need to get the flat, back surface level so we can have a level surface to work on.
Now works in the office doing payroll, managing our social media profiles and website! Erie Landmark Company. At Erie Landmark Company, a division of Paul W. Zimmerman Foundries, we understand the craftsmanship and care required to restore these plaques to their original luster, which is why we offer trusted in-house plaque repair and restoration services. Cleanse your plaque gently with water and a clean, lint-free cloth to keep the protective coating intact. September 2016 Thats why historical societies, local governments and businesses trust the Paul W. Zimmerman Foundries and Erie Landmark Company name. The oil from your skin can increase the level of discoloration from oxidation. Please contact us for a quote on professional bronze plaque refurbishing. We have witnessed many stones with plaques that have fallen off that were simply being held in place by your standard silicon. Dry with a clean dry cloth. We are a family business that has been in the monumental trade for over 25 years. This is also why we have a No excuses Monument Guarantee (See certificate to the right) and a lifetime warranty. Rub this mixture onto the bronze plaque with a small soft cotton cloth. Will the monument be for someone who has already passed? We have over 25 years experience in this field and all our work is fully guaranteed. They just bought a house and both of them frequently wonder how they ended up making their life in South Dakota, especially when it's -26 degrees Fahrenheit in December. Apply for a Free Veteran Grave Marker from the VA | Call 800-697-6947. After the epoxy is fully set, the plaque and stone will be given a nice scrub down using proper granite cleaning materials. (hint: we do it better).
In this photo, you can see our setter carefully pouring the epoxy mixture into each of the four holes. Continue buffing until the plaque shines. October 2016 Once the sign is exactly in the middle of the mounting surface and the holes are marked drilling can begin. Signs That Your Plaque Needs Repair or Restoration, Surface scratches that dont buff out easily. [slickr-flickr type=galleria search=sets set=72157627612440303]. He has a Bachelor's degree in Architectural Design and a Masters of Social Work. This shape of a hole is terrible for actually holding a bolt tightly in place, in fact, its impossible for it to do so. We can also professionally refurbish your bronze plaques for you. January 2017 Please see below some of the work we have accomplished to restore some of Melbournes beautiful old headsones. We set it on four lead beads and seal it off with setting compound. Now that the plaque has been securely attached to the stone and has had time to set up, its time to put the stone back in place. This is where our process begins to vary greatly from our competitors and why our prices are higher. That way we will be working on a nice flat, level surface. Our hope is that when you are able to understand all that this process entails and how our process ensures it will last for decades, youll have a better understanding of why we have a higher price for this service than most of our competitors. Jeremy is working on the fourth and final hole. At Erie Landmark Company, we provide plaque repair services for many types of markers, including: When its time for bronze repair and restoration services, trust Erie Landmark Company were industry leaders with a dedication to craftsmanship in bronze repair and refinishing. In 99% of cases, we will actually take the tablet or slant off of the base and lay it flat. Hi Dustin, It's our mission to treat every family we serve with dignity and respect throughout the process of capturing their loved one's memory in stone. Preserve its beauty with periodic upkeep by: During routine maintenance, its also essential to inspect your plaque thoroughly for indications of damage beyond normal wear and tear. Occasionally dusting your bronze memorial plaque can help slow down the natural oxidation process, but it wont prevent it completely. Some signs your marker may need professional bronze repair include: If your plaque displays any of these indications, consider professional repair and restoration to return it to its former glory. We'd love to be able to connect with you further. You can choose a very mild soap for markers out of warranty and markers showing visible patina or spots, but use only a minimal quantity. Our competitors will often use a hammer drill to accomplish this step. All Rights Reserved. This ensures that there will be as little breakage around the hole as possible and that there is almost no chance of creating bigger cracks within the stone itself. This is definitely the cheaper and easier option but is almost guaranteed to give you problems.
It also has holes marking exactly where to drill. This method all but guarantees that the bronze plaque will fall off within a matter of years. Well get started by looking exactly at what a bronze plaque is and what we are given with it. Once on site, our setters will then open up the plaque and begin to assemble it.
Continue rubbing as needed to restore the original shine. In order to respond properly to this question, well first take a look at a typical bronze plaque. Soaps can cause quicker wear to the factory-applied finish, so consider using them carefully, if at all. There are four bolts that are meant to screw into the corresponding, pre-formed openings in the back of the bronze itself. We use a two-part epoxy resin manufactured in Germany for this task.
We make sure to lay the stone on wooden 2x4s and/or pieces of rubber and not on the ground to keep the stone safe from chips or scratches. I found myself Googling how to do it because I just purchased a bronze plaque to update a tombstone with a third burial. This is evidenced by the V shaped holes that we have seen over and over again on stones where the plaques have fallen off. At Erie Landmark Company, we care about the meaning and history behind every plaque, from a bench plaque to a roadside marker. CLICK HERE to Give us a Call 1(800) 658-2294, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiIk8NLyVLk. Now that the bolts are screwed into the bronze, they must somehow be inserted and adhered to the granite stone itself. They dont since they never took it off in the first place. Begin by wiping dust and dirt off the plaque with soft cotton cloths. After the epoxy is in, the plaque is immediately inserted into the holes and double- and triple-measured to ensure it is straight and centered on the stone. We respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously. What epoxy would you use to place a bronze marker on a stone that is 110 years old? The drill does not create a nice clean hole, but rather a V shape. Now, lets walk through the actual process of mounting a military bronze to a granite stone that is already out in the cemetery, step-by-step and compare our process to that of the competition. All rights reserved. Over time, plaques even those cast from bronze require repair and refinishing. Architectural Signage Division of Saxton Industrial Inc. Saxton Bronze can refurbish and restore an older bronze, aluminum or brass plaque to good condition with a reasonable cost. This means that we dont take shortcuts or use cheaper/easier to use materials. The four bolts have been screwed into the plaque. Learn more about our plaque restoration services, as well as our process for completing bronze plaque repairs, by contacting us today for a price request. I live in Maryland so I know your services are not available here, BUT I like the info for whomever I find to do the installation locally. We have worked all over Victoria and especially in the last few years we have noticed how many old monuments, some of historic significance, have fallen into a state of repair. Even though it takes longer than a hammer drill, this is the best drill to use for this purpose for a couple of reasons.
November 2016 We can handle the removal and reinstallation nationwide, as well if you need that service. Drilling granite creates a lot of dust which needs to be cleared out of the holes to ensure proper adhesion. Monday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMTuesday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMWednesday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMThursday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMFriday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMSaturday: ClosedSunday: Closed, Copyright 2022 Saxton Bronze. They have also stacked the generator (sitting on wood to protect the bronze and stone) to keep the plaque snuggly up against the stone while the epoxy hardens.
Here you can see our setter using a standard driving drill (not an impact drill) to drill nice and snug holes for the bolts to fit into.
The background color is then applied followed by buffing and hand sanding the raised areas. Our high-quality repair and restoration processes offer valuable benefits like: Our approach to cleaning and repairing bronze plaques follows these steps: With more than 80 years of experience, were proud to highlight the accomplishments of our plaque restoration services. Can you give me a ball park estimate of the cost to mount a 32 X 7.5 plaque on granite the right way so I know what to expect from local companies? So if you are looking to restore your family memorial, please don't hesitate to contact us for a free apraisal. Well be using a standard 12x24 military bronze throughout the rest of this article. To keep the plaque in a state of maximum beauty for years to come, just follow this cleaning and waxing procedure once a year as a maintenance routine. A brand new bronze plaque mounted perfectly on the back of the slant. The plaques are shipped in a cardboard box along with the hardware that is needed for properly mounting it to the stone. December 2014 Then well explain what is actually being done when a bronze plaque is being mounted. In order to ensure that we get the plaque perfectly centered, perfectly flat, and adequately adhered to the stone, it is critical that we are working on a flat surface where gravity is our friend, not our enemy. In this photo, one of our setters is using an open house sign that is the exact dimension of the plaque they will be mounting. Over time, especially when combined with the V shaped holes from the hammer drill, as well as the fact that this is all being done while the stone is vertical, a plaque that is adhered to the stone by silicone is sure to fall off. Due to the historical value, as well as the financial worth of many of these markers, the importance of plaque refinishing cannot be emphasized enough. Finally, we applyied multiple coats of heavy duty clear lacquer. We use a standard driver drill to drill a nice clean hole with a consistent tubular shape about 2-3 deep depending on the stone we are working on. Using a hammer drill is much quicker than the traditional drill, but that is the only benefit for two reasons: Some companies dont even drill holes at all! Id rather not drill into the stone. To help us better serve you, please include the following information in your message (if applicable): In which cemetery would the monument be placed? Once dry, apply a thin even layer of paste wax to the bronze memorial plaque.
It works by scraping away the stone a little at a time, rather than pounding at it. It is our company motto to provide the absolute best service possible to each and every one of our customers. A simple cleaning process can refurbish the plaque to restore its like-new finish. In the early days of the business, Zimmerman Foundries created custom parts for the U.S. Military and various businesses throughout the United States. December 2016 P.S.
Finally a quality 2-component protective clear coat will be applied. They just use silicone or a similar compound to attach the bronze plaque straight onto the back. Ceramic, Porcelain, and China Repair and Restoration.
This means the bolts will always be wiggling around ever so slightly allowing water and air to get the holes and under the plaque.
Using a few simple materials, you can keep the plaque looking great for many years. This hammer action also puts the entire stone at risk of fracturing.
Once we understand this, we can compare how we do each step with how weve seen it being done by other companies (with photo evidence). Its normal for plaques to require refinishing as the following factors affect their appearance over time: Bronze is one of humanitys oldest, most durable and most beautiful materials thats why you chose it for your commemorative plaque.
That is why we charge significantly more to mount a bronze plaque on a stone.
The plaque will be machined and hand sandblasted down to the raw metal to remove the old finish and discoloration. XX. Because a hammer drill adds in a hammering motion while drilling it causes much more chipping and damage to the stone around the holes.
It creates that nice tubular shape that will better hold the bolts. Many of our monument experts have been running into this question lately: Why do you charge so much more than other companies for mounting bronze plaques on stones?. After removing the bronze paint from the face of the plaque, we darkened the recessed area and then relieved the text and border to a satin finish. The plaque is now ready to be mounted to the stone.
The epoxy starts out as two different pastes that when mixed together undergo a chemical reaction that will cause the epoxy to harden after a few minutes. Sign up for our mailing list to learn more about who we are, what we do, and to have early access to any specials and deals we may offer in the future. So, working quickly, well mix up the two parts, pour it into the holes we have drilled and then insert the bolts into the holes.
Sitemap 9