Rust: how to "permant-ize" it

Laminarman · May 27, 2005

Rust: how to \"permant-ize\" it

I'm thinking of building a grape trellis out of welded steel for our front yard. I think I've heard of letting metal rust, then "sealing" it or treating it so it becomes permanent, rustic and really cool looking, without leaking rust colored water and making a mess. Am I dreaming? I did a web and TBN search and couldn't find what I was looking for. I know one of you guys with big, bulbous brains will have the answer.

Tom_H · May 28, 2005

Re: Rust: how to \"permant-ize\" it

I live in a log house and have a some vaulted ceilings. We bought some rustic light fixtures with cut steel or copper cutouts of trees, deer, elk, etc. for the high ceilings. There are many artists who hand make pieces like this. To make them have an "antiqued patina" the artisans put certain chemicals on to induce a rapid oxidation (rusting), they then put another chemical on to permanently arrest the oxidation. Steel turns brown while copper turns green. Finally, they coat the metal with some lacquer or polyurethane like sealant. I have no idea what the chemicals are, but I assure you that you weren't dreaming. Now whether these chemicals will work on "natural" rust that has occurred over a period of time and has penetrated into the substrate, I have no clue. To find some of these metal artisans, do a Google search for "rustic lighting". Good luck.

Glenn9643 · May 28, 2005

Re: Rust: how to \"permant-ize\" it

I've used "ospho" to treat rusted steel prior to painting with good results, and have seen other recommendations on this forum but don't remember the products. I believe with the ospho you'll need to seal with something if you don't want to paint to keep the rust from returning.

dknarnd · May 28, 2005

Re: Rust: how to \"permant-ize\" it

You can check out this stuff POR-15 . This is what allot of people that restore tractors use. It may not be what you are looking for though.

RalphVa · May 28, 2005

Re: Rust: how to \"permant-ize\" it

I've used these chemicals for years. Currently, Rustoleum makes one called Rust Reformer. Lowes carries it here. At NAPA stores and probably other auto parts places, you can buy something called Rust Extender. Both these turn iron oxide (rust, which is orange/brown) into iron sulphide, which is black. You can paint it if you don't like the black coloring.

Just wire brush any loose rust away and apply it with a brush.

Ralph

Tom_H · May 28, 2005

Re: Rust: how to \"permant-ize\" it

I still don't know what the artisans used on my light fixtures, but the iron parts are a nice brown and the copper green. I would conclude that this is not the chemical used in my particular case.

Laminarman · May 29, 2005

Re: Rust: how to \"permant-ize\" it

The look is quite distinctive, but I can't figure out how to do it. Thanks for the help anyways folks.

sawhead · May 29, 2005

Re: Rust: how to \"permant-ize\" it

The process which you may be refering to is called browning.It was used for a long time on gun barrels before they started bluing them. It is done with chemicals to create a controlled rust , then the rusting process is neutralized leaving a nice rust brown color. While it's not completely weatherproof it will stand up to many years . A search on google for barrel browning will turn up some sites with info.

JimR · May 29, 2005

Re: Rust: how to \"permant-ize\" it

I read somewhere that the gun barrels back in the old days of Brown Bess's were treated using the following chemicals.
"Instructions for Browning Gun Barrels

The following Ingredients:

Nitric Acid 1/2 ounce
Sweet Spirit of 1/2 ditto.
Spirits of Wine 1 ditto.
Blue Vitriol 2 ditto
Tincture of Steel 1 ditto.

dknarnd · May 29, 2005

Re: Rust: how to \"permant-ize\" it

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(

Nitric Acid 1/2 ounce
Sweet Spirit of 1/2 ditto.
Spirits of Wine 1 ditto.
Blue Vitriol 2 ditto
Tincture of Steel 1 ditto.

)</font>

Is it correct to assume "ditto" means "ounce"? They are both the same amount of key strokes, 5 characters each!