ilder Technicalpage
"Technical Info"
THE NEON TUBES:
                 The neon tubes are hand-blown.
                 The color of the neon tube is determined by 3 factors:
1. The glass:
            
                Clear or colored glass. The colored glass gives deeper and richer 
                colors and require more skill in bending.
2. Powder coatings inside the tube:

                These are phosphorescent powders that glow specific colors when excited  by
                UV wavelenghts                                                                                
3. The Gas:

                  There are six gases one can use in a neon tube.
                  Only two are bright enough to be used commonly:
                  NEON: lights orange-red
                  MERCURY(with argon or neon): lights light blue

                  Other gases less commonly employed are:
                  Argon: lights pale lavender
                  Helium: lights a ple peach color
                  Krypton: lights pale silver
                  XENON: lights pale deep blue

                  The color of the gas interacts with the glass and the powders to determine the final                              color of the tube.

   Life Span

              The life span of a neon tube can be expected to be 20+ years although this may not                   be the case for every tube. The tubes generally need to be replaced rather                                 than  repaired if bad or broken. Neon tubes are fragile but not overly-so.
The Metal:

               The metal is usually aluminum. The silver aluminum has been coated with                                         multiple layers of clear polyurethane coating which is applied after the  aluminum is hand                 brushed or ground to create the reflection patterns. The colored alminum is coated with                   multiple layers of either opaque or translucent  paint then over-sprayed with clear coats to               provide depth. These finishes  should provide stable color to last for years with minimal                   maintenance. 

CLEANING

             When cleaning, the pieces should first be unplugged and the tubes allowed to
             cool to room tempature. They can then be cleaned by using a soft cotton cloth
             (a T-shirt is ideal) dampened with water. Paper towles are too abrasive and may                              scratch  the finish. For troublesome grime buildup or smoke etc., a glass cleaner 
             can be used. Do not apply solvents of any type to the aluminum as they may damage
             the finish. Frequent dusting is recommended using a soft clean paint brush or
             feather duster.
Sculpture Power Consumption:
            
          Neon is the most effecient form of light available - it does not consume large amounts
           of electricity. My sculptures operate at a level between 30 - 150 watts depending on                            the piece. They can be safely left on 24 hours/day at minimal expense if desired. 
Repair:
           
             Most works have exact patterns of its neon tubes reproduced on a sheet of butcher                                 paper which is clamped to the back of the sculpture. In the event of a broken tube, this  pattern                can be removed and taken to any local neon shop or returned to the artist for replacement.                      Installation of the new tube can be done by any local neon shop and should be done only by an                experienced neon technician (Although the average  individual can often be led through the                     simple process by phone with the artist if  desired). All works are produced in a fashion that they            can be taken apart and repaired with ease.

Foreign/Overseas Clients: 
         
           Transformers are available to match with any country's elctrical type including 220V.
           A nominal handling charge to switch transformers will be applied. Sculptures have been
           shipped to Europe without incident multiple times in the past by the artist.
 
 
 
Shipping: 
           
           Some pieces require careful crating before shipping. The artist has often used  Fragile Pack                    without incident  in  Louisville Ky. A typical shipping charge for a 32" x 48" piece including                     crating and insurance from Louisville to San Francisco is about $125.00  and to France or                     Germany about $275.00. Sometimes multiple pieces can be placed in the same crate and           can greatly reduce the cost of the shipping per piece.                                                        
                                           
                                          
 

 
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Tony Viscardi
sculptures in aluminum and abstract sculptures