Creating Patina on Mild Steel

[eSCHEn]

I'm currently making a project in 6mm MS sheet. The ultimate finish will be rusty as that's what client wants.

A lot of the steel already has a nice finish which I want to try and keep as much as possible.

Does anyone have a method they've used to accelerate the process? I've got a couple of weeks before it's due.

I'm thinking something like you use yoghurt to bring on verdigris.

Here's a shot of what I mean. I'd like to blend the bare patch where I've welded into the patina next to it. I'm not needing perfection but want better than just leaving it shiny.

Cheers ^_^

 

[rikrobson]

you can heat and spray on brine. I saw this on a TV program once, I think it was the crazy Sword guy. I didn't think it would work, but it seemed to. Unless it was the "magic of television".

 

[outofthefire]

Salt water works, so does hydrogen peroxide.

 

[outofthefire]

Chunkolini has posted about rusting steel a few times

 

[eSCHEn]

Chunkolini has posted about rusting steel a few times

Yes and I believe citric is what he uses. What I can't find is the length of time and concentration.

you can heat and spray on brine. I saw this on a TV program once, I think it was the crazy Sword guy. I didn't think it would work, but it seemed to. Unless it was the "magic of television".

Do you remember how hot was the steel was Rik?

 

[outofthefire]

Yes and I believe citric is what he uses. What I can't find is the length of time and concentration/QUOTE]

Citric acid removes rust

 

[eSCHEn]

Goes to show how good my memory is

 

[I'm getting on a bit]

I don't know the active ingredient but patio brick cleaner sends metal rusty pronto it's the one that is intended for removing cement stains

 

[bletchmonster]

Ferric chloride crystals. Mix up a solution and squirt on. Deep even rust finish pronto!

 

[rikrobson]

Do you remember how hot was the steel was Rik?

not too hot, it just evaportated the sprayed on brine

 

[GrahamGKD]

The stuff Chunko has mentioned is Ammonium Chloride - it accelerates rusting (doesn't need to be heated).

 

[eSCHEn]

Other than the brick cleaner and NH4Cl I've got all of the above ingredients so I'll be giving this a go on some scrap stock tonight.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I shall report back on progress or lack of

 

[chunkolini]

I use ammonium Chloride, you can buy it off fleabay quiet cheaply.
Just mix up a solution, add a bit of washing up liquid to break up any oil film on the metal, scrub it on and leave it for a few days. Maybe keep misting it with water if it is not raining. leave it for a few days and job done.

 

[clueless77]

If you have a condensing boiler you could use the condensate that comes out of the waste pipe, it rusts metal very well, use a spray bottle to mist it, and it's free.

 

[ronan]

I left a tub of stainless steel pickling paste open over a weekend at work once. When i came in on monday morning, anything that could rust, had

 

[anjum]

Just use the steel from a Lancia or Fiat car....

 

[TechnicAl]

I don't know the active ingredient but patio brick cleaner sends metal rusty pronto it's the one that is intended for removing cement stains

I think its dilute Sulphuric Acid

 

[Seadog]

I think its dilute Sulphuric Acid

Hydrochloric

 

[chunkolini]

Salty watrer also does a good job again mix washing up liquid to help break up any oil film.

 

[MattF]

The hydrochloric which Getting-on-a-bit mentioned apparently has a vicious ability to cause rust when the fumes hit steel, according to some who've left a container unsealed in their workshops.