How To: Faux Rust

[TrUcKeR]

Here's how to create a rusted finish on whatever your heart desires. You can even rust a sheet of paper if you'd like.

Supplies needed:

Sophisticated Finishes Iron Metallic Surfacer
Sophisticated Finishes Rust Finishing Solution
Primer
Scotchbrite pad
Seafoam sponge
1" black foam brush (not pictured)
Microfiber cloth
Matte Clear spray-paint (Optional)



1. Scuff your part well.




2. Wipe it down with microfiber, rinse it, blow it off, whatever. Just get it free from contaminants.



3. Prime. Do two solid coats, because the Rust solution will rust any metal it comes in contact with. Prime good to create a good layer between actual metal and the Iron Solution so that your rust finish remains 'fake'.





4. Use 1" black foam brush to coat the item with the Iron Solution. Let it dry and apply a second coat if needed.



*The directions state that letting the iron dry for a day will give you a brighter rust, while applying the Rust Finishing Solution earlier will give you darker tones like red/brown.

5. Pour some Rust Solution on the part (Moderately! Not too much, not too little. I did both mirrors and my tailgate with one little bottle.)

Use the seafoam sponge to give it texture by blotting the piece to pull some of the Rust Solution up, or drag it around a bit. You can also use the seafoam sponge when applying the Iron Solution to give more texture, or make directional grains/lines.

You will begin to see rust forming within an hour, and the effect of the Rust Solution on the Iron Solution will be final in 24 hours. You can, at that time, add some more Rust Solution, or leave it alone.





I went for a mix of rust and 'raw' metal, so my process was pretty quick. I only let the Iron Solution dry for an hour or two before spritzing the Rust Solution on as well as dripping/sponging some. This is what it looked like the next day:



6. (Optional) Clear coat the item with a Matte Clear spray-paint. Warning, this WILL change the tone of the rust. It will make everything darker, as evident by the difference in appearance of the mirror from the last photo to this photo:



Happy rusting!

***Keep in mind that altho the rust you see is very real, and not "paint", the rust only 'lives' on the surface of the Iron Solution. If I stored this tailgate for 10 years, I could sand it down and I would still have a rust-free tailgate.***

[squeethebee]

That's cool. Any pics of the tailgate?

ed

[DAZE752]

think this deserves a sticky and someone should add how to rust metal with the peroxide/vinegar/salt

[TrUcKeR]

Originally Posted by squeethebee

That's cool. Any pics of the tailgate?

ed

I sanded the logo to bare metal before clearing it. I thought it would add some deep contrast to the rust, as well as make people scratch their heads about the rust and the intact logo metal. lol.

[pacific coast]

Holy hell this has to be the koolest trick / mod ive seen in a long time !!!
Did you get the Sophisticated metals products @ an art supply store ?

[squeethebee]

I like the bare metal. While I was rusting a VW hood about 3 years ago, I considered just clearing it after stripping it down

Sonic yellow WRX?

ed

[TrUcKeR]

Originally Posted by pacific coast

Holy hell this has to be the koolest trick / mod ive seen in a long time !!!
Did you get the Sophisticated metals products @ an art supply store ?

I picked it up at Michael's. Hobby Lobby does not carry it. You can check at http://www.modernoptions.com/ website for retailers.

Originally Posted by squeethebee

Sonic yellow WRX?

ed

Yup. Roomies car.

[Irongrave]

thread is stuck killer idea man and great write up

[TrUcKeR]

Thanks!

[midgad21]

Originally Posted by TrUcKeR

Thanks!

Or, you could just buy one like mine, skip all the painting and go right to the real thing without all the work!