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Rusting out metal

I'm trying to "rust-out" the metal base of my glass-top coffee table to give it a weathered, rustic look. I know how to rust small metal pieces like hinges, etc: Submerge piece in muriatic acid for about 10 minutes till bubbles, then remove and spray with hydrogen peroxide. I've done that with excellent results. But the table base is obviously much too large to submerge. Is there another way to rust this out? Thanks in advance, -Joe Castrodale

Joe Castrodale
- Little Rock, Arkansas
2003

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Sorry.. I am asking you a question with info I found in your question. Where can I buy muriatic acid? And one more question. Do you know how to strip the zinc plating on hardware found in places like Home Depot?

Thank you so much.

John Pfeufer
- Queens, New York
2003

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Hardware stores often have muriatic acid [affil links], or click on the link to buy it on-line. Muriatic acid, even diluted 3 or 4 to 1, will quickly strip zinc plating. It will also dissolve steel, although much more slowly. Acid is dangerous; you need to know what you're doing and to wear protective equipment including goggles [on eBay or Amazon], and to carefully read the cautions on the bottle. In addition, note that hydrochloric acid makes fumes and the fumes will rust stainless steel, plated finishes, and most other steel.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003