Help making sheet steel look 100 yrs old

[rsallen]

Are you still trying this with 22 gauge?

 

[Sodo]

RS I'm kind of an old-cabin nut and whenever I see sheet steel on a (genuine) old cabin it's even thinner than than 22ga, and nailed down with lots of small nails. Usually from a 55gal barrel or oilcan, and usually LESS than 22ga.

People used what was "available" in the old days, and the old days is what I'm trying to do. Nowdays people buy the material that won't get the contractor called back for remediation (usually on advice from the contractor). Not an issue here.

I'm going to use (uncoated, rustable) nails every 1.5" so it has that old look. I've built lots of stuff, I know about steel, know that 22ga is plenty thick for this.

 

[rsallen]

It's not a matter of thick enough for the task or a matter of getting the look you want.
It's a matter of how (the means) that look can be accomplished.
For instance with such a thin piece as 22 gauge you are not going to be able to use heat without warping it in ways you don't want to deal with.

So I asked, but never mind you obviously know what you're doing.

 

[sixdogs]

I had stove pads for 30 years and, as already mentioned, got the best results with stove black rubbed in. Then wait and use while a little patina developed on them. Worked for me.
If I wanted controlled rust I would wash it down with dishwashing detergent to get the oil off and lay it in the grass for a week or two. bring it in, let it oxidize and settle in a bit and call it good. Just my two cents.

 

[Sodo]

….. and settle in a bit and call it good. Just my two cents.

:laughing::laughing: Thats too funny I think you're right. I like that attitude it's authentic.

Here's a couple test pieces from 3 months ago. I burnished it with a somewhat soft wire brush, which I was surprised didn't even leave swirl marks.

This is no muriatic, no nothing, just 3 months on a dry, wooden garage floor in the winter then burnished lightly with wire brush.

Muriatic acid once, then outside for 3 rainy days. Then 3 months on a dry, wooden garage floor in the winter. Then burnished lightly with wire brush.

I like the blueing that occurred naturally. Sixdogs if my sheet comes out like either one of these sample plates…... i'm gonna call it good.

 

[Sodo]

Just measured my steel sheet, it's 0.044 thick & according to the tables = 19ga. 22ga is 0.0313 thick. (30% less!).
The steel supply where I bought it; called it 22ga. Anyway, you guys who said 22ga is too thin you may be right!

 

[AchingBack]

I'm thinking of trying this on some metal. Watch the video to see what salt and beer can do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euRvnpkZm9I

 

[sixdogs]

I think 22 gauge is way too thin. I recall mine being much thicker. I still have two out in the barn and if you want me to measure I can do it later today.

Personally, I would skip all of these accelerated aging ideas. Just leave it outside for a week and then install or maybe just stove black it and let the patina develop.

 

[Sodo]

Well this took so long I don't know if I can call it accelerated. I used muriatic acid to get things going then plain water to rust a little while.
Today I finally places the 19ga steel and nailed it down and I'm happy with it. And happy to scratch a task off my jobs list.

 

[Reverser]

Good job!
Looks old enough to have been under Abe Lincoln's stove. :thumbsup: