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How to Age Mild Steel?

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I am working on a project where our client wishes to use mild steel on the front of a counter, however they want it to appear aged, and possibly slightly rusty (ie. not new silver and shiny). What do I need to do to achieve this? What products do you recommend, that are available in New Zealand.

Christy Ormand
architect - Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

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There are many ways to achieve this look. To blacken, either heat the metal to create a black oxide or apply a gunblue solution (Birchwood-Casey Gun Blue [linked by editor to product info at Amazon]) that can be purchased at a gun or sporting goods shop.

For rust, mist it with water -- the more water you apply the more rust, salt water greatly accelerates the rusting. Or apply an acid such as muriatic (muriatic acid [linked by editor to product info at Amazon]) to the exposed steel to create rust. Muriatic can be bought at most hardware stores. To protect the finish apply an oil based lacquer or paint on a solution of Linseed Oil [linked by editor to product info at Rockler], turpentine and beeswax to warmed metal for a darker finish. If the metal rusts too much sand it lightly, a thin layer of rust will protect the metal underneath. Have fun!

Fia Cooper
- Vancouver, B.C., Canada