Paint Statue that changes color with weather/airpressure

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a color-changing statue that responds to weather conditions, specifically focusing on the type of paint used for such statues and how to obtain or replicate it. Participants explore the chemistry behind the paint and share personal experiences related to similar items.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant recalls having a similar statue but is unsure of the mechanism behind its color change.
  • Another participant suggests that cobalt chloride may be the chemical responsible for the color change, noting its properties of being blue when dry and pink when wet, but questions its ability to produce green.
  • A different participant confirms the use of cobalt chloride, sharing a personal anecdote about a postcard that changed color in a similar manner and referencing a Czech poem related to weather predictions based on color changes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is some agreement on the potential use of cobalt chloride, but uncertainty remains regarding its complete properties and whether it can account for all observed color changes. No consensus is reached on the exact paint type or its availability.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with the chemical properties and safety concerns of cobalt chloride, indicating a need for caution due to its toxicity and skin irritant properties.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring meteorological phenomena, chemistry enthusiasts, or those looking to create or replicate color-changing materials for artistic or decorative purposes.

Christof999
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Hello all,

I Found an old keepsake when I recently moved that I bought in Italy 15 years ago. It was a small statue of an owl that changed color when the weather was changing. It would be pink, blue most often or sometimes green. That statue itself didn't change, but rather it was the paint on it. The paint was kinda thick and sparkling. These statues were everywhere when I was there. Mine eventually wore out, and no longer changes but I got a good 3 years out of it. I think it is either moisture or air pressure that it responds to.

Now I am working on some meteorology courses and I really wanted to find out when I could get another statue, but even more, I really wanted to find out how the heck I could make this or buy this paint myself, so I could paint my own statue. I thought a simple web search would turn up lots of buying links and at least a few DIY guides for this stuff, but I found almost nothing. The only thing I found was a couple of links, one selling a religious "barometer statue". The statue had the same paint on it. So far this is the only trace of this stuffs existence I could find. Here are the links. The second one shows a statue someone ironically got in Rome.

http://www.littleflowersfamilypress.com/SHOP/chaltars03.htm
http://www.bdline.net/aftershow/2008/08/03/the-ever-changing-she-wolf/

Could someone please tell me what type of paint this is, what it might be called, where I might be able to buy the paint, or to buy the chemicals to make it? (I have a lot of wet chem experience, and a buying account with a distributor, so no need to worry about self injury) If anyone could even tell me where to get more of these statues or what they are called it would be a bit of a help.

Any information is greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Christof
 
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Heh, yeah I remember having one of these. Never know what powered it though.
 
Cobalt chloride it is.

I had a postcard with a cloud painted with it, it was changing its color between blue and pink. There was even a poem written in Czech that stated something like "Color of cloud blue - wheteher is good, when it changes color - it can rain any time".

Czech version (as I remember it - I don't speak Czech) on request :wink:
 

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