Rust/Patina - Corten SteelUpdated 8 months ago

Thank you for reaching out about the 'rusting' on your Metalbird. The good news is that your bird is doing exactly what it's supposed to do. What may appear to be deterioration is actually the steel forming its own protective coating, or patina.

What might initially resemble generic rust is simply the air- and water-tight patina forming over the initial period of exposure, so don’t panic! This patina will protect the steel from any further damage and disintegration.

Our birds are designed to deepen and shift with the seasons. This patina will darken in shade over the years, moving from an initially bright orange to a burnt umber, and eventually to a beautiful shade of charcoal. If placed in an area with high humidity or near the sea, you can expect it to change colour a lot sooner, sometimes as quickly as a week!

The self-sealing aspect of CorTen steel provides a quality guarantee of up to 100 years, ensuring that our product lasts a lifetime and remains completely corrosion-resistant.

You might be pleased to know that CorTen steel is the same material used in great sculptures and architecture around the world: The Chicago Picasso, The Cube in New York, The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, and The Design Museum in Israel, to name a few.

We hope this helps you see the weathering in a new light. Our 10+ year old Metalbirds look incredible; wait until you see yours.

Care Instructions:

CorTen steel does not require any treatments, oils, or chemical additives, making it extremely environmentally friendly. Just sit back, let it do its thing, and watch as it cycles through some incredible hues before eventually reaching a textural shade similar to charcoal. However, if you really want to add colour to them, we recommend having them professionally powder-coated after preparing the surface. Some customers also add a sealant to prevent the colour from changing.