how to "rust" aluminum

[dryvr12]

I have stacks for a truck. I need to "rust" them, and they are aluminum from an antenna. Do i rust steel wool and rub it on the antenna? Do i paint it rust colors? (This would be harder for me because of all the color combining) Do i put the antenna in salt water and paint the corrosion spots a rust color?]

I really have no idea, and any input would be great.

[Brendan]

Hate to tell you this but aluminum can't rust. It can oxidize.

I would just mix up a rust color if you want it to look rusty. Mix up some different shades of brown.

[dryvr12]

Hate to tell you this but aluminum can't rust. It can oxidize.

I would just mix up a rust color if you want it to look rusty. Mix up some different shades of brown.

I think it does oxidize, but doesn't rust.

[James W]

Just so I understand, you want a combination of rusty and shiny. The idea about the salt water has some merrit, but I don't think you need to do that.

Dry brush some rusty looking paint over the antenna and go from there.

If you want the whole thing rusty, I would etch them with an acid(start with vinagar) so that you can paint them with red oxide primer.

Find some references you can study as you work.

[dryvr12]

Just so I understand, you want a combination of rusty and shiny. The idea about the salt water has some merrit, but I don't think you need to do that.

Dry brush some rusty looking paint over the antenna and go from there.

If you want the whole thing rusty, I would etch them with an acid(start with vinagar) so that you can paint them with red oxide primer.

Find some references you can study as you work.

I mainly want rust (it is a Duel truck). I actually found an idea that I will try that seemed pretty interesting and plausible. You put the piece in water ( or salt water) along with steel wool. You wait a while until the steel wool rusts. You apply the rust "paint" on to the piece. It's very fragile though, and takes a while. I think I will put the antenna into vinegar and then try the steel wool idea. I'll see how that goes.

[59 Impala]

If you want to etch the Aluminum you can soak it in Castrol Super Clean and then paint it the rusty color. Here is a pic of what happens to Aluminum when you soak it in CSC.

Maybe this will help. Dan

Edited April 4, 2009 by 59 Chevy Impala

[E St. Kruiser50]

Hate to tell you this but aluminum can't rust. It can oxidize.

I would just mix up a rust color if you want it to look rusty. Mix up some different shades of brown.

Brenden is right.

"Metalurgically" speaking, you're asking the wrong question.

This is like asking, how do I make plastic really rust. Yes, alum. is a metal, but oxidation and rusting are totally different in process and appearance.

The question should be; How do I make any non-steel (ONLY steel and iron rusts) surface look like rust, including alum.

Why not just spend $10.00 on RUST-ALL ( which has REAL STEEL PARTICLES in it that rust ), and quit spending so much time trying to re-invent the wheel , then you can "Rust" everything including your "CAT"

[Pete J.]

If you want to etch the Aluminum you can soak it in Castrol Super Clean and then paint it the rusty color. Here is a pic of what happens to Aluminum when you soak in in CSC.

Maybe this will help. Dan

Cool! I will have to file that one away for future use.

[FujimiLover]

Actually, Testor's has a paint called Rust. It comes in their small 1/4 FL oz paint bottles and it's paint number 1185. It kind of look's like red clay. I'd dip a very small brush in the paint and splatter it on the pipe as that should give it the look you want.

Edited April 4, 2009 by FujimiLover

[dryvr12]

Actually, Testor's has a paint called Rust. It comes in their small 1/4 FL oz paint bottles and it's paint number 1185. It kind of look's like red clay. I'd dip a very small brush in the paint and splatter it on the pipe as that should give it the look you want.

Ya, I got that paint.

[nitrojunkie]

Aluminum will corode and pit and get really nasty looking but it does not rust.Just turns a nasty chalky grayish white.

[Semi Trailer Mechanic]

What's goin' on...

The only way for aluminum to rust is for it to be against steel or another ferrous metal. Example on semi trailers the lower rails are aluminum and the crossmembers are steel w/ steel mounting plates. From the factory and when repairs are done mylar tape is used to cover the steel to slow this process down. Over time being exposed to the elements the two metals will create whats called galvantic corrosion or electrolosist. When polished aluminum is exposed to acid it will get a chaulky gray color.

If you're wanting weathered antennas and stacks try using round stock styrene and then paint that how you want it weathered. Paint the styrene steel and mix in a little rust color then while the paint is still wet use some rust color chaulk grade it or grind it over the stack so chalk dust adheres to the paint let the paint dry and you've got a par of weathered stacks. If the thickness of the styrene looks unproportioned just sand the inside diameter down until it gives the illusion that they aren't thick.

Good Luck

Edited April 7, 2009 by Semi Trailer Mechanic

[el Presidente]

If you have a Michaels or AC Moore or other craft type store, look for Sophisticated Finishes Rust Antiquing Set. It is a 2 part system the will rust anything. The first part is a Metallic surfacer, it is finely ground metal particles in a paint like solution, paint it on let it dry. The second part is the antiquing solution, you paint it on ,it is like a mild acid, and it turns the metal solution to rust. The stuff works great.