This Cutting-Edge (Liquid) Cold-Metal Finish is Hot

A contemporary kitchen island has a bronze finish layered with a black patina and a protective clear coat.

Innovative Liquid Metal Finishes for Custom Design Applications

Ancient alchemists claimed they had the power to transform base metals into precious metals like gold and silver. Some say it was an early attempt to grasp the logic behind chemical reactions, while others describe it as a mix of art, science—and wishful thinking.

Today, Jon Bateman of JMB Painting practices another kind of alchemy, neither magical nor metaphysical but fascinating all the same. Bateman is a specialty finisher who can turn almost anything into an extraordinary facsimile of brass, bronze, copper, silver, and more.

He uses a material known as VeroMetal®, a proprietary product that can give nearly any surface the optical and physical properties of the metal of your choice. Bateman calls it the newest tool in his toolbox, one that is opening up a world of possibilities for the architects, builders, and interior designers he counts as his clients.

“We’re known for our fine finishes, but this takes our capabilities to a new level,” says Bateman, whose painting and contracting company is based in southern New Hampshire. He creates metal looks on everything from walls, counters, and cabinets to range hoods, handrails, and backsplashes throughout the greater Boston area.

“The most unusual projects I’ve worked on are ornate pieces of furniture, monolithic-style pieces, and curved tables,” he says. The process allows for various finishes, including everything from a polished mirror-like surface to a broken glass effect.

This chef-style kitchen features a bronze perimeter and blackened Manganese Island. All have a protective coatings to control oxidation.

The structure of this fireplace surround was built with MDF then finished in Bronze. Multiple patinas were applied then given a wax finish.

A cooking zone has a bronze insert with a low-sheen that has a subtle orange peel texture.

What Is VeroMetal and How Does It Work

So, what is VeroMetal® exactly?

It’s not a metallic paint, but rather a liquid cold applied metal application consisting of metal powder, binder, and hardener. It can be sprayed on for a smooth finish, or applied with a trowel for a mottled or patinated look. It’s available in both solvent-based and water-based versions.

The technology is said to have originated in the U.S., but VeroMetal® was developed in Germany, where it has been in use for more than two decades. Here it’s distributed exclusively by Bespoke Finish™, a St. Paul, Minnesota company that trains professional finishers in its use. “You can’t just go out and buy the product,” says Bateman. “You have to be trained to use it properly and become what’s known as a certified applicator specialist.”

He explains it’s not as simple as filling a conventional sprayer and having at it. A VeroMetal® professional evaluates the surface to be coated and the environment in which it will live. He or she formulates stable, repeatable, long-lasting finishes and abides by strict application processes to ensure clean, consistent, long-lasting finishes. The product is rated for interior and exterior use.

Custom Metal Looks for Design Projects

“There are many advantages to a metal finish like this one,” says Bateman. “By using it in place of genuine metal, you shorten the timeline on a project and can cut the cost in half.”

A common casting process for a solid-brass range hood requires building a wooden mold or “blank.” Metal workers bend and form the metal alloy to the blank to shape the piece. metal as desired. “What we do instead is take the blank, apply the VeroMetal® directly to it, and we can have your hood ready for installation in a little over a week,” he says.

The manufacturers of VeroMetal® are committed to environmental practices that deliver an authentic metal finish using minimal raw materials. Because the product can be applied to any substrate, it supports the use of sustainable base materials. And the end result is often substantially lighter, so it’s less expensive to ship.

A certified specialist since early 2024, Bateman says he likes to use the product to solve his clients’ problems. “You can basically get anything you want,” he says. “Anything that a designer or architect can imagine, we can do.”

There is a caveat: “Remember that at the end of the day, VeroMetal® is not a solid material. It’s made from metal, but it’s still a veneer,” says Bateman. “If you’re determined to use solid, cold-rolled steel, then go that route. But if you want the look of metal without the weight, the wait, and the cost,” Bateman says he can deliver.

JMB Painting
603-892-2590
@jmbpainting
jmbpaintingco@gmail.com