How To Age Aluminum Sheet Metal

Model builders creators of replica items and metal sculptors sometimes wish to make metal objects look aged.

How to age aluminum sheet metal.

The best part is you probably already have all. To age galvanized metal start by sanding it with 80 grit sandpaper until it no longer looks shiny and slick. If you re using it on a roof you may get in trouble with leaking if you try to rust it prematurely. We can get that look at home and it doesn t require much time at all.

Aging aluminum is a good way to give it a cool distressed look. The easiest way to age aluminum is in the dishwasher. Your pictures show corrugated sheet metal. Just wrap your object in aluminum foil and run it on the pots and pans setting with powdered dishwashing detergent and a teaspoon of trisodium phosphate also called tsp.

Whether you are antiquing an aluminum breadbox or making your own piece of furniture that you want to look old getting that aged patina you are looking for can be achieved with some good old fashioned hard work. To achieve an aged look for aluminum objects the finish on the aluminum must be darkened. True antique aluminum has that perfect patina and all the nicks and dents that tell a tale of the metal s history and use. That said a friend of mine used the corrugated metal as wainscoting in her country kitchen.

Aluminum sheets do not rust. Here s a way to speed the natural process of the steal coating wearing off. You can also cut it into small pieces and roll it into beads or bend up and crimp the sides to create containers. Then put the metal on a plastic sheet in an open or well ventilated area and put on safety glasses gloves and a long sleeved shirt to protect yourself from the chemicals.

Metal sheeting has many uses in your home and crafting life. She used muriatic acid to rust the areas she wanted. You can frame the sheeting for an instant magnet message board or cut it into decorative tiles and coasters. It s exciting to get to share this with you today i did a comparison test for us so you can determine which method you prefer.

I m always looking for great patina formulas and am thrilled with the results of this experiment. To make a piece of galvanized metal look old and rusty and chippy and have a wonderful patina takes years of outdoor wear. Galvanized metal is usually zink or iron with a coating of steal sealed over it to prevent it from rusting. How to age galvanized metal.

Stonegable s aging galvanized diy. How to age galvanized metal so many times while shopping i ve seen such beautiful farmhouse style accent pieces like pails planters various containers etc. Aging metal involves speeding the natural process of air and water interacting with and degrading the surface of the metal.