How to age/etch/oxidize metals?

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I apologize if I asked in the wrong section... feel free to move it. What do you call this technique where you give the metal surface a rugged/aged look like the star in this picture? Is there a link on how to do that? Can I finish-seal it for protection?I'm in school for metal fabrication and this is going to be my first project (for a female friend of course). It'll look good in my my portfolio too.Many thanks.
Reply:HelloStrangerWhat is your metal - and what do you want it to look like?Can you refine your question - and post examples . . .. . .  of the look you want?Opus
Reply:Originally Posted by OPUS FERROHelloStrangerWhat is your metal - and what do you want it to look like?Can you refine your question - and post examples . . .. . .  of the look you want?Opus
Reply:Steel f-x patina. Then clear coat.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:If you want rust, spraying with salty water works wonders.
Reply:http://www.wikihow.com/Acid-Etch-SteelThere is lots of information out if you search with  "acid etch steel"Will probably take some trial and error to see how it works and what you can do with it.   Scratch it, lightly brush some acid with a coarse brush so it shows the brush strokes, and then there is the timing.  How much time to let it etch?   Probably different times for different areas depending on what kind of artsy design you want.Last edited by bead-boy; 12-18-2014 at 08:48 AM.
Reply:When I 1st looked at that star, I was thinking it's either alum or light galvi.Metal finishes are a whole world unto itself. Simply changing the base material will radically change the final finish. It doesn't have to a be a change in the material itself, say from plain steel to galvi or alum. Simply the finish on the steel, whether it's been sanded or not, and how heavy, with or without  scale etc will make a difference. As will things like oil on the surface. As anyone who has ever hot blued steel what something as simple as the oils from your finger prints will do to the finish.I know when we used to do acid stains on concrete we could get some real interesting finishes by tossing things on the surface. Certain fertilizers for example would react to the acids and "bleed" different colors out on the surface. Sawdust would absorb stain in some areas vs others and give a molted look. There were all sorts of things that could be done and we spent a lot of time "playing" with samples trying to work out things we found worked well, or didn't..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:you can check in on the metal finishing forum on yahoo http://www.finishing.com/index.htmlmig,tig,oxy,plasma,lathe,mill,bender,vise,grinder
Reply:That star doesn't look 'aged' to me, in the scheme of things. "The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:I've done a few projects like this and have always had good luck with King Metal products.  They make all kinds of gilders paste, metallic finishes, and patinas.  Exactly what you are looking for.  They have all kinds of good stuff and it's all really cheap.  http://www.kingmetals.com/Catalog/Ca...tailId=1&NSM=Y
Reply:I made a bunch of horseshoe hangers a while back.  The customer wanted them rusty / rustic when done including the welds.First off I degreased and cleaned the metal.I made a very caustic solution using Super Clean (in the purple Jug), Webley's Bleach White (for tires) and salt.I put them in a spray bottle.I heated the shoes to about 100 degrees and misted them about 3 times a day.  Do this outside as it will burn your lungs.Don't immerse them, you want them to get wet and dry so the oxygen can get to them and cause the Iron Oxide (rust) to form.  Only took about 3 days and they looked 200 years old.  I lightly brushed the scale off and put a misting coat of lacquer over them.They looked fantastic.