Q&A for How to Make Metal Rust

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Can it be used with metal that has a surface coating?

Community Answer

If it is galvanized you can use muriatic acid to burn it away. Use gloves and breathing mask and do it outside. Put the muriatic acid in a spray bottle and coat heavily - do not breath in fumes for health reasons. You will see it vaporize and burn off. Rinse with water and give it a light sanding or steel brushing.

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Question

Can I use a brush while using this method and not affect the painted areas?

Community Answer

You could try scotch tape or something like that to prevent the liquid transferring to areas you do not wish to be affected.

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Question

Will this work if I use apple cider vinegar?

Community Answer

It should work just fine, but it may be a bit slower. It doesn't hurt to try.

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Question

Which method should I use if I have an old car that I want to look or be completely rusted?

Community Answer

Grind all the paint off and make sure you do right down past any galvanizing to reveal the bare metal. Rub beer and salt into the panels, leave for two to three hours then remove with hot water. You will see rust almost immediately.

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Question

Can you age gold leaf, or copper leaf, or silver leaf when applied to wood?

Community Answer

These are all nonferrous metals (do not contain iron) and they only tarnish and will not rust. You need iron for rust.

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Question

Want to rust Hinges but they are zinc plated. Will this formula still work?

Community Answer

Use Spray bottle and fill with muriatic acid. Wear gloves and don't breath in the fumes that will emit. Spray the hinges heavily and then rinse with water after 1 minute. Lightly sand to be sure and you should have bare metal that you can make rust.

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Question

Can't you just soak the metal in salt water?

Community Answer

No, especially if it has a coating of some sort on it. You can use vinegar and oxygen containing bleach (Clorox bleach will work fine) if need be.

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Question

How do I measure the rust once it is on the metal?

Community Answer

You don't. If it LOOKS like you want it to, you're done.

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Question

Will any or these methods work on a new galvanized bucket?

Community Answer

Galvanizing is actually a thin layer of zinc applied to iron to prevent it from rusting so there is no way to give it that nice rusty color.

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Question

Can I just scrub off the zinc coating to let it rust?

Community Answer

You could try, but scrubbing zinc off is extremely difficult as it bonds to the metal.

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Question

Which method would be most efficient to corrode aluminium?

Community Answer

Aluminum doesn't rust like steel or iron. It can oxidize, but the result is a white powder/scale.

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Question

Will it work on corrosion resistant steel?

Community Answer

No. "Corrosion resistant" means it will not easily rust. Corrosion resistant is a synonym for stainless. Stainless steel is an alloy designed not to rust.

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Question

Why would I want metal to rust?

Community Answer

For a rustic/old look, mainly in home decor. A lot of people like this look. I've even seen guard rails in state parks that have been rusted so that they don't stand out like shiny metal.

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Question

I want to attach rusty buttons to a piece of fabric. What can I use to protect the fabric against the rust?

Community Answer

Paint the buttons with clear nail polish. Apply a coat, let dry and repeat. Make sure they are completely dry before attaching to fabric.

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Question

How do I rust a cymbal?

Kathleen Whitetree Woolsey

Community Answer

Cymbals are generally made of brass and copper alloys. Because they do not contain iron, they will not rust. They will tarnish over time.

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Question

Will the acid copper mix work on soft white metals, such as model tracks?

Community Answer

If they're pure iron or coated iron, yes. If it's an alloy similar to stainless steel, no. Aluminum tracks will not rust.

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Question

Can we use this method for sand fusion areas? No tools will reach the inner part.

Community Answer

No, sand fusion areas are susceptible to disintegrating quicker once the method has been added.

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Question

Is there anyway that you can stop the rusting process once the desired patina is achieved? So that the metal piece doesn't corrode any further?

Community Answer

You can stop the rusting process by covering the item with baking soda. Leave it on the item for a short amount of time (i.e. 30 min or less) and simply rinse with water. This will neutralize the chemical reaction but it will not preserve it going forward. To ensure that your item stays the same or similar going forward, spray or paint the item with a clear satin protective enamel spray paint. The satin finish makes the rust appear to be natural while still be protected from the elements and further rusting.

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Question

Can I use this method on my stainless steel appliances?

Community Answer

No, stainless steel is a special chromium alloy designed to be inhibit rust.

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