How R+K Studios Saved $12,000 in Passivation Costs with the TIG Brush
R+K Studios LLC was commissioned by the Osage Nation Veterans Memorial Commission to produce a 23-foot 316L stainless steel eagle feather sculpture as the centerpiece for the Osage Nation Veterans Memorial in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, USA. The sculpture required a combination of cast, hand-forged, and fabricated components, all in Stainless Steel 316L, with no exposed fasteners. This made the passivation process especially challenging.
THE CHALLENGE
The project specifications demanded that the sculpture be passivated as a single piece, without visible fasteners or interruptions in the surface.
Conventional options were unsuitable:
- Dipping was cost-prohibitive, with an estimated expense exceeding $12,000.
- Pickling paste raised significant health and safety concerns.
Design requirements:
- The golden eagle feather design needed distinct markings at the top to remain visible, a key aesthetic detail that was critical for authenticity.
“We had looked at several other methods but all were either cost prohibitive (dipping) or had health risks that we did not want to take (pickling paste).” – R. Dickend-Hoffman of R+K Studios.
The solution
R+K Studios turned to the TIG Brush TBE-700 after receiving a recommendation from Acme Surface Dynamics. The system provided a safe and cost-effective way to clean and passivate the 23-foot stainless steel feather sculpture as a single piece, eliminating the need for dipping or pickling paste.
To achieve the distinct golden eagle feather markings required at the top of the design, the team used TB-90 marking fluid, which delivered a permanent, high-contrast finish that looked even better than mechanical texturing.
Because of the sculpture’s textured surface, they adapted the process by using Quad Brush tips instead of the standard graphite block. This approach gave the markings a painterly effect while efficiently covering larger areas.
Before applying the markings, the entire sculpture was passivated three times with TB-25 solution to ensure complete and long-lasting protection.
“It ended up looking even better than if we had mechanically textured it.” – R. Dickend-Hoffman of R+K Studios.
“We think the result was very good even though our approach was somewhat experimental in using the marking fluid to cover an area that large. The TIG Brush saved us an enormous amount of time compared to the alternatives, pickling and dipping. Overall though, the biggest saving was financial – dipping to passivate this project would have cost over $12,000. After being installed for three months the piece looks great and the client is very happy”
R. Dickend-Hoffman of R+K Studios.
