Bronze & rust-effect relief
Bronze, copper and rust effects cast into cement and plaster relief.
- Shanghai Xionglan Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (brand: Xionglan Art)
- Shanghai-based workshop · delivery in 67 Chinese cities
- 10 capability groups / 102 individual techniques · design, fabrication and installation in-house
- Phone +86 156 0163 6249 · Mon–Sun 09:00–18:00 (CST)
Metallic-effect relief gives public art and signage the presence of cast metal at a fraction of the cost and weight. The effect is built in layers - base tone, metal powder or paint, then a reactive patina - so it ages believably.
Commissioned work in bronze & rust-effect relief normally runs from 6 to 30 m², with 3–8 working days in production from approved drawings. The reference range for this technique is CNY 600–1800 per m², quoted itemised. It sits within our Cement Relief & GRC capability, alongside 7 related techniques, and the 4-point deliverable below is what a commission includes as standard.
When bronze & rust-effect relief is the right answer - and when it is not
Simulated bronze and copper finishes give the depth and patina of metal without the weight, cost or theft risk. They suit entrances, reception features, signage surroundings and interiors that want a warm metallic accent. They are not appropriate where the metal must be genuinely load-bearing or conductive, and they will not survive the same abuse as solid metal on a high-contact surface, so the position matters as much as the finish.
How the work is actually carried out
The substrate is formed to the required profile and primed to receive a metallic system rather than ordinary paint. Metal coatings are applied in layers: a base metal tone, then accent layers that build the highlights and the recess tone separately. Patina is produced deliberately where it belongs - in the recesses and where water would naturally sit - rather than sprayed evenly, which is what makes the difference between convincing and obviously fake. A clear protective coat seals it, in a sheen chosen to match the metal being referenced.
Typical applications
Typical specifications
| Typical size | 1-60 m2 |
|---|---|
| Lead time | 3-6 weeks |
| Effects | Bronze, aged bronze, copper, verdigris, rust and corten |
| Finish | Protective lacquer or wax, chosen for the exposure |
| Capability | Cement Relief & GRC |
| Reference range | CNY 600–1800 per m² |
| Techniques in this capability | 8 |
| Coverage | Shanghai base, nationwide delivery, overseas projects on request |
Reference price bands for Bronze & rust-effect relief
Indicative only, based on the scope normally quoted for bronze & rust-effect relief. A firm price follows a site survey and an itemised quotation split into material, labour, finishing, packing and freight.
| Scope | Typical area | Reference total | Unit rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small area | 6–15 m² | CNY 3,600 – CNY 27,000 | approx. CNY 1800/m² |
| Standard area | 15–36 m² | CNY 9,000 – CNY 64,800 | approx. CNY 1200/m² |
| Large area | 36 m² and above | CNY 21,600+ | approx. CNY 600/m² |
Build tiers for bronze & rust-effect relief
Bronze & rust-effect relief is not one product at one size: the table below is the same scope ladder we quote on, so you can see where your project sits before asking for a price.
| Build tier | Typical area | Production days | What changes at this tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | Up to 30 m², one substrate and one access setup, 3–8 days in the workshop. |
| Tier 2 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 3 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 4 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 5 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 6 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6 m² and above, multiple substrate types and phased access, 3–8 days with a join and numbering plan. |
What we deliver
- Site-sculpted work and precast panels, chosen per project
- Rebar, mesh fixing and multi-layer build-up for durability
- Stone-look, bronze-effect and rust-effect finishes
- Water-repellent sealer as standard on exterior work
Faults we see most often in bronze & rust-effect relief
Each of these is a field failure rather than a workshop one, and each is cheaper to prevent at enquiry stage than to correct after installation.
- Applying a metallic finish as one even coat, which produces a flat coloured surface that reads as paint rather than metal.
- Sealing with a high-gloss clear coat on a surface intended to look aged, which makes the patina look lacquered.
- Specifying it on a door handle or handrail where constant contact will wear through to the base within months.
What to settle before an overseas project starts
| Reference metal | Send a photograph or sample of the metal and the age you want - new, lightly weathered or heavily patinated - because those are three different specifications. |
|---|---|
| Position and contact | How much it will be touched matters more than how it looks in a photograph. Tell us where it sits and who reaches it. |
| Substrate | The profile must be formed before finishing. Confirm the base material and whether it is factory-formed or worked on site. |
Working with us from overseas
Enquiry to installation, one point of contact. Export packing, shipping, commercial terms and quality control →
Design intent and what drives the cost
| Technique | Bronze & rust-effect relief |
|---|---|
| Positioning | Bronze, copper and rust effects cast into cement and plaster relief. |
| Floor area normally quoted | 6–30 m² per commission |
| Typical production window | 3–8 working days from approved drawings |
| Main cost drivers | Area and repetition; substrate preparation; detail and modelling time; surface finish; access and working hours |
| What we quote separately | Material, labour, finishing, packing, freight and site measures - each as its own line |
Representative work
Cement Relief & GRC projects photographed on completion.
Cement Relief & GRC — GRC components (columns / cornices / balustrades)
Cement Relief & GRC — Water-feature & rockery cement forms
Cement Relief & GRC — Stone-look cement relief
Cement Relief & GRC — Water-feature & rockery cement formsCommon questions
Will the effect change over time outdoors?
Is the effect real metal?
Will cement relief crack?
Discuss bronze & rust-effect relief
Send photographs, drawings or a 3D file with approximate dimensions. You will get a technique recommendation, a reference price band and a production schedule.