How do you rust your metal projects?

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Ok so there are many different ways to get a rusted finish on your metal works.Some like to use Muratic acid, others just let nature take its course, some powder coat or paint to look like rust.  I am sure a lot of you have heard of a product called insta rust, or something simillar. this is what I use but I dont spend the $20 a 20oz bottle cost. I go to my local hardware store (HD or Lowes) and go to the plumbing section and buy a bottle of Copper sulfate Or root killer it is in a blue crystal form. I then mix it in a weed sprayer. You can also ad some muratic acid into this mix.  just keep playing with it it will take some time to get use to getting the metal rusted the way you want it.  first the metal will turn out looking like copper.  you can stop here or move on  and use more on the metal.  Water will nutralize the solution so let the solution dry and then spray water on for the rust to start coming on.
Reply:I can see that in AZ, but down here it rusts as fast as I can weld it, lol.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Bring it to Florida, it will rust up in a couple of days nicely...Build a Barstool Racer at BarFlyRacers.com!
Reply:I can only echo the sentiments of Jolly Roger and malich. Living close to the sea, the last thing you want to see is anything that even looks like rust! And yes, down here it's only a day or two until it appears. - Rust never sleeps.Last edited by Tractapac; 06-12-2008 at 09:32 PM.Reason: spelling oops"One of the things we have to be thankful for is that we don't get as much government as we pay for." (Charles Kettering)Mitch 180 (NZ)Lincoln SAM-400-220 + ?-400 Fordson Major + 2 x Tractapac Humber 80 + Procut 40 PlasmaMiller Spectrum 375
Reply:When you live in any area where there is any humidity to speak of, rust is kinda like malaria to people like me who live in those kinds of areas.   I, (we) tend to avoid it.Old horsebarn for a shopBig scrap pile out backMiller Syncro200Lifelong collection of toolsBunch of other crapUnderstanding wifeUnderstanding neighbors
Reply:There is a chemical called alumabright that will cause steel to rust very fast. Its used to give aluminum a bright white tone. I believe it is only sold by the gallon though.
Reply:Electrolysis..  But mainly, nature.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:salt mixed with vinegar.  Clean any oil off the part, spray it on with a spray bottle or brush it on, and let it sit overnight.  By morning it'll be brown.  If you clean the rust off with steel wool, you'll have a patina finish.For example, I built the guard on this about two years ago and then antiqued it.  While it's no longer in my posession, I do have pictures!Before.During.Find the recycled stainless part, lol!  24 hours later.  After steel wool.It's cheap, safe, and while I wouldn't recommend drinking the solution, you could!Last edited by mb_welder; 06-13-2008 at 12:53 AM.
Reply:Clorox bleach will do a very even job of rusting but muriatic acid is the cheapest and causes a multi tone rust finish fast.
Reply:So I take it people on the coast really dont use rust as a design element in a rustic style setting?  Or are ther just not many rustic style home/ buildings on the coasts?  Personally I Like to design and build modern art but My own special signature is to blend Rustic and Modern or contemporary together and when done properly it really brings a place together.
Reply:Great info, any other tips / tricks for finishes other than rust...different colors or chemicals. Pics are very helpful.If you don't want to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
Reply:Rust is not my prefered finish for anything. I do have a rusty BBQ grill built out of recycled 18" firetube pipe. I don't like it like that but it seems to want to be that way. Can't keep paint on it and I have tried several brands of high heat and BBQ grill paint. Even in an area where 5-15% humidity is the norm except for a couple of months of the year it is no problem getting something to rust. Just leave it unfinished a few weeks and it's rusty.
Reply:Arizona sucks!  at times it can take days even to get the desired finish even after chemically stripping it to bare metal.  But when it rains  it will rust in a heart beat.
Reply:All muratic acid does is etch the metal, after the acid I use hydrogen peroxide for 2 days works awesome and cheap.  If you keep appying muratic acid all your doing is resarting the rusting process Attached Images
Reply:What do you guys use to seal your rusted Items?  I like to use a clear Laquer spray paint.  I have tried the clear accrylic sealer that cost $60 a gallon but it never seems to hold up to the AZ sun.