A Cheap Alternative to Expensive Rusting Chemicals

[DreamWerks Designs]

Hey everybody, I'm new here but wanted to jump right in and offer up some sort of value to the forum (rather than just consuming other members tips).

I used to use a rusting chemical for a lot of my finishes until one day my girlfriend accidently got some overspray on a piece of metal art that had yet to be finished. Within 10 minutes of contact, there was 10 yrs of rust in that particular spot. From that point on, I have always put the cheap dollar store toilet bowl cleaner, mixed with a little water (no particular ratio) into a spray bottle to mist onto my rusted products.

For flat items, you can lay horseshoe's/stars/cactus/cowboy hat/etc. onto the metal before spraying to give it some cool effects.

You'll want to make sure that your product is fairly clean, I soak most of my stuff in muriatic acid and hit with a flap disk before rusting... I can't speak to how it performs under different conditions.

The best part is that the rust finish is very durable, it doesn't just flake off, and it can be clear coated when dry.

I hope that this helped give some of you an alternative. Some may know this already but if you found it helpful, let me know below.

-TB

[greggomc]

Thanks for the tip. Will have to give it a try.

[DreamWerks Designs]

Give it a shot Greggomc! I hope it works out for you.

Thanks for commenting.

-TB

[Bobcat320]

Ha! Seems like I am always fighting rust, trying to keep it off of my finished piece until I can get the right finish/sealer on!
Going to try this though, just for the fun of it. I like your idea of placing objects on the steel to create a different pattern!

[DreamWerks Designs]

Haha Bobcat320, I know what you mean about usually fighting the rust... it's kind of ironic, huh. When I do this I typically put a small horseshoe on the hip of a large horse, or something like that, to create a ranch brand look. I also mess around with different designs on kokopelli items and Indian battle shields. Play around with it and let me know how it works out for you.

I'm from the Southwest (Az) where rust/chrome are considered actual colors

[Maadman]

So true, have nightmares about rust. But we do have a number of pieces we sell "pre-rusted". Going to give it a try! Thanks!!!!

[Funbum]

Going to try that...thanks!!

[reedjj]

Giving it a try now.

[BAR M]

Thank you, can't wait to try this. I presently use muriatic acid and often have to coat it twice after the rust just flakes off.

[revrat]

Thank You I will try the toilet cleaner, I presently use a little micritic acid (that has my old used copper tips and electrodes in it, adds a copper tint) and water, after soaking for a few hours I wet a portion of tall grass and flip the item face down on the grass, the next morning I have a cool pattern on my metal that everyone likes.
Looks like fur on my animals and Yetis.
Thanks Again
Dave T

[plasmanewbie]

Thank You I will try the toilet cleaner, I presently use a little micritic acid (that has my old used copper tips and electrodes in it, adds a copper tint) and water, after soaking for a few hours I wet a portion of tall grass and flip the item face down on the grass, the next morning I have a cool pattern on my metal that everyone likes.
Looks like fur on my animals and Yetis.
Thanks Again
Dave T

No those are some cool ideas I have never heard before! Thanks for the ideas Dave

[4Dscreenart]

Peroxide... makes it rust very fast.

[adbuch]

Peroxide... makes it rust very fast.

I have sprayed on muriatic acid and then sprayed on some peroxide while the acid is still wet. Then after it dried I sprayed on some clear coat. It makes some interesting colors. The pigs shown below (actually javelina) are right after I sprayed on the acid/peroxide, but before I applied the satin clear coat.
David

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