LineCraft Studio metal art is cut from 22-gauge steel and is available either in its natural
As-Is condition or with a professionally applied painted finish.
Steel is a durable material, but unfinished and
painted steel behave differently outdoors. This guide explains what to expect from each finish,
how to clean and care for your artwork, and what you can do years from now if the finish needs refreshing.
Image comparison: As-Is Steel (image on the left) | Painted Finish (image on the right)
Regenercrate Recommendation: Choose As-Is steel if you specifically want the natural, changing appearance of unfinished steel or if you plan to apply your own finish. For outdoor display where a more consistent appearance and added protection are important, Regenercrate recommends applying a suitable protective finish before extended outdoor exposure.
As-Is Metal Art is supplied in the natural condition of the steel without sanding or a painted finish.
The steel may show:
variations in color
spotting
manufacturing marks,
discoloration
light oxidation
differences from one piece to another
These variations are normal characteristics of unfinished steel and are part of the appearance of an As-Is piece.
No two pieces should be expected to look exactly alike.
Callout As-Is does not mean polished steel.
If you prefer a more uniform finished appearance and additional outdoor protection, choose the painted option. This is an important sentence because of exactly what you noticed with that beautiful generated butterfly thumbnail—the raw steel simply will not look like perfectly uniform silver.
Regenercrate does not sand artwork ordered As-Is because sanding changes the natural manufactured surface of the steel.
Customers choosing the As-Is option receive the steel without cosmetic surface finishing. If the piece will eventually be painted, it should be properly prepared before coating.
Yes. Bare steel can develop oxidation and rust when exposed to moisture and outdoor conditions.
The rate will depend on:
humidity
rain and irrigation
coastal or salty environments
direct exposure to weather
how the piece is stored
whether the customer later applies a protective finish.
Some customers may enjoy the changing appearance and natural patina of unfinished steel. Others may prefer to paint or protect the piece before extended outdoor exposure.
Regenercrate Recommendation: If As-Is steel will be displayed outdoors, expect the surface to change over time. If you want to slow oxidation and maintain a more controlled appearance, Regenercrate recommends applying a suitable protective finish before extended outdoor exposure.
Every piece selected for a painted finish is cleaned, sanded and cleaned again before any coating is applied.
The preparation process begins by removing cutting residue and surface contamination with isopropyl alcohol. The piece is then sanded to remove discoloration and create a more uniform steel surface. In our testing, 80-grit sanding has been effective at cleaning and evening the steel, although slight orbital sanding marks may remain. These marks are a normal result of surface preparation and do not affect the integrity of the metal or the finished coating. Minor bends, depressions or divots in the steel may remain visible because a flat sander cannot always reach completely into a curved area. These are characteristics of the individual steel piece rather than coating defects. After sanding, the steel is cleaned again with isopropyl alcohol to remove sanding dust, oils and remaining contamination. The piece should then be dried promptly with a clean, dry microfiber cloth and should not be left resting on a damp surface. Bare steel can begin developing surface rust quickly when moisture remains in contact with it.
Regenercrate Preparation Standard:
Painted metal art is cleaned, sanded, cleaned again, dried completely and then coated.
The painted finish is built in layers rather than applied as a single decorative coat.
The protective painted finish includes:
an exterior-rated primer or base coating
multiple light coats of exterior-rated paint
appropriate drying time between coats
Several light coats are used rather than one heavy application so the paint can build coverage without puddling or collecting in detailed areas of the design. Decorative effects such as glitter may then be added over the painted surface. Decorative glitter is an appearance treatment only and is not part of the protective coating system.
Painted pieces are finished to order.
Regenercrate Recommendation:
For most customers planning to display their metal art outdoors, Regenercrate recommends the painted option. The steel is prepared and finished with exterior-rated primer and paint to create the protective coating system. Decorative effects, including glitter, are added separately and should be considered appearance treatments rather than weather protection.
Colors can look different depending on sunlight, shade, viewing angle, photography, and the screen used to view the product.
Decorative Glitter Finishes:
Glitter can be added as a light decorative accent over the painted finish. Regenercrate uses glitter to highlight the artwork rather than as part of the protective coating system. Because decorative glitter finishes are not intended to provide exterior protection,
outdoor exposure may gradually reduce the sparkle or cause some of the glitter effect to wear or flake away.
The exterior-rated primer and paint underneath remain the protective finish for the steel.
Regenercrate Recommendation:
Think of glitter as a refreshable decorative accent. If the effect becomes lighter with time,
additional glitter can be applied to renew the appearance without replacing the underlying painted finish.
Routine cleaning should be gentle.
For normal dust or dirt:
use mild soap and water
use a soft microfiber cloth
rinse away soap residue
dry the piece afterward
Avoid:
abrasive scrubbers
steel wool
harsh solvents
Do not scrub damaged paint aggressively, because that can enlarge the affected area.
Regenercrate Recommendation:
Use the gentlest cleaning method that works. Mild soap, water and soft cloth are generally sufficient.
Avoid abrasive pads, harsh solvents and aggressive scrubbing that can damage the protective finish.
Outdoor metal art should be inspected periodically for chips, scratches, worn edges, or areas where bare steel has become exposed.
Pay particular attention to:
outside edges
narrow projections
cutout areas
mounting points
places that have been bumped or scratched
Chips, scratches or worn areas should be monitored because exposed steel can begin to oxidize when moisture reaches it.
Regenercrate Recommendation: Do not attempt to spot-repair to small, damaged areas unless you are prepared for the repair to remain visible. Matching the original coating thickness, color and finish can be difficult. If the painted finish has become noticeably chipped, scratched, faded or worn, refer to Part Four — Refreshing Older Metal Art for a more complete refinishing approach.
Yes. One advantage of steel artwork is that the finish can be refreshed when it eventually begins to show age.
After years outdoors, a piece may develop:
fading
surface wear
scratches
small rust spots
loss of gloss or decorative effect
The artwork itself may still be perfectly usable. Instead of replacing it, the finish can often be renewed.
Regenercrate Recommendation: Do not discard a steel piece because its finish has aged. If the artwork itself is still sound, Regenercrate recommends preparing and refinishing the steel rather than replacing the piece.
Important Note: Do not simply spray new paint over active rust, peeling paint, dirt, or loose coating.
The condition of the surface underneath the new coating will affect how well the refreshed finish performs.
22-gauge steel is durable but relatively thin, and narrow design features can be bent if handled roughly.
When moving or storing artwork:
support the piece rather than lifting it by a narrow projection
avoid bending detailed areas
do not place heavy objects on top
protect finished surfaces from rubbing against other metal pieces
This is especially important for delicate features such as legs, antennae, stems, tails, or narrow cutouts.
If a piece is removed for seasonal storage:
clean it first
make sure it is completely dry
store it in a dry area
protect painted faces from rubbing
avoid stacking heavy items on top
support delicate projections
As with your vinyl art, seasonal pieces can become a collection that is brought out and rearranged over time.
Regenercrate Overall Recommends:
For customers who want metal art that is ready for outdoor display with a more consistent finished appearance, Regenercrate recommends the
painted option.
As-Is steel is best for customers who intentionally want the character of unfinished steel, expect its appearance to evolve, or prefer to apply their own finish.
Neither choice is inherently better-the right choice depends on whether you want the natural behavior of bare steel or a prepared protective finish.
Choose As-Is if you want the natural steel appearance or plan to apply your own finish.
Choose Painted if you want a more uniform finished appearance and an exterior coating system already applied.
Will As-Is Metal Art rust?
Yes. As-Is pieces are unfinished steel and can oxidize or rust when exposed to moisture and weather.
Why doesn't Regenercrate sand As-Is pieces?
Sanding changes the natural manufactured surface of the steel. Pieces ordered As-Is are intentionally supplied without that finishing step.
Are painted pieces sanded first?
Yes. Every piece receiving a painted finish is cleaned, sanded and cleaned again before coating.
After the final cleaning, the steel is dried completely before primer or paint is applied.
Can I paint an As-Is piece myself?
Yes. As-Is steel can be finished by the customer. Proper surface preparation is important before applying any coating.
Can painted metal art stay outdoors?
Painted metal art is prepared with exterior use in mind, but no exterior coating is maintenance-free forever. Periodically inspect the finish for chips, scratches, exposed steel, or rust.
What should I do if a painted piece gets scratched?
Regenercrate does not recommend attempting an invisible spot repair. If damage becomes significant enough to affect the appearance of the piece, refinishing the entire piece generally provides a more uniform result. See Part Four — Refreshing Older Metal Art.
Can I repaint the whole piece later?
Yes. If the finish becomes worn after years of use, the steel artwork can generally be prepared and refinished rather than discarded.
Will the color look exactly like it does on my screen?
Not necessarily. Screen settings, lighting, photography, shade, and direct sunlight can all affect how color and decorative finishes appear.
Does every raw steel piece look the same?
No. Natural steel can show spotting, discoloration, manufacturing marks, and other surface variations. Those characteristics are expected in the As-Is option.
As-Is Steel gives you the natural character of unfinished metal and the freedom to finish it yourself.
Painted Metal Art provides a prepared and professionally finished piece ready for display.