Hi Zan,

Front and back side of the rooster

Enamel keeps heat and cold without problems. You can see that on the thousands of billboards, that hang anywhere in the world. However, these are usually steel enamel.
I myself have made some garden objects. The base metal for enamelling was 0.8 to 1.0 mm thick copper sheet. The copper was enamelled on both sides with normal jewelry enamels from "Schauer-Enamel", Vienna. The edges of the metal plates were, as usual, not enamelled.
The rooster shown here is about 35 cm high and stands for about 50 years continuously in our garden. He has survived temperatures of about + 30 degrees Celsius in summer and -20 degrees in the winter without any damage. The enamel plates were bonded using construction adhesive on a ca 2 mm thick aluminum sheet. The adhesive holds also since the time without problems.
It is important that all assembly parts are made of stainless material. Either stainless steel or aluminum. As you can see on the two screw holes on the foot of the cock, I have used originally normal iron bolts that have formed on the white background 'rust streaks ". The screws were later replaced by stainless steel screws.
Also from the other 5 objects I made I got no customer complaint

Edmund

Thanks for the response Edmund. I love the rooster!

Thank you Zan

www.emailkunst.de

Mr. Smith, I work with 22 gage steel, and all my work can be placed out doors, or in the dish washer. I have never had a problem with my work being placed our doors, or in the garden. I have several projects attached to gables for over 5 years, and so far no effect to the weather.  I find 22 gage cold rolled to be the best to work with. Anything smaller will warp when firing, anything bigger is hard to work with, and shape, but for with standing the weather, as long as it's completely enamel the weather won't bother the project. Remember that the entire project has to be enameled for complete weather protection.

Charles Winkel

Thanks for the response Charles. I will now proceed with confidence.

I am a metal sculptor and want to incorporate some enamel accent pieces into my work. I would be primarily useing domed copper sheet in the 2" to 6" diameter range. I am currently experimenting with 24 guage sheet that I torch fire the enamel on. Would it be better to use something like 18 guage? I sell my pieces all over the U.S. and abroad and they would have to be able to withstand something like a Michigan winter.

Hi Zan, I was just thumbing through the sit when I came on your question again. I use only 22 gage steel. It holds up to the firing, and easer to form. 18 gage is really hard to work with. It fires good, but the forming will break your arm. I find making bowl shapes are raser with 22 and keep there shap when fired.