The Challenge

The client desired a beautiful gold finish would last, echoing the quality of their cosmetic workmanship. The finish also had to align with the luxe aesthetic of the brand and furnishings throughout the new Ascension Cosmetic Medicine studio in Newmarket, Brisbane.

The Solution

While there are several ways to achieve a gold metallic finish, particularly with spray painting, it was determined that we had to avoid this approach. Given enough time, the sun will destroy anything, which is certainly the case with spray painting – typically lasting up to 15 years.

We decided that we needed an element-based coating system that could fuse to the sub-surface with UV resistance as its primary quality. Initially we investigated gold plating however even the seemingly negligible friction of rain would remove the gold plating over time. A clear spray painted coating would prevent this issue, so this was a foregone solution.

We then discovered a system called Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) which would allow us to deposit titanium nitride to the surface of a material. This coating system had a very desirable gold lustre which was a perfect fit for the luxe appearance of the studio.

To ensure that there would be no chance of degradation of the base material, we made the lettering from 316 marine grade stainless steel. The titanium nitride fused directly to the surface of the stainless steel which can only be removed in conditions above 600°C and with extreme friction – none of which would be experience by the lettering. This meant that the letters could sustain incredible longevity without any UV degradation.

The internal reception sign was given the same coating and while it was inside out of the sun, it meant that we could have direct consistency of finishes to the externally exposed signs.

If you have a challenge, we will solve it.