New rust experiments

[tom mann]

I'm working on a replacement technique for using Krylon Rusty Metal Primer for surface rust. This is the first, using Sophisticated Finishes:





In the future, I will have the results of rust cultivated from the inside of a coffee can, and rusting steel wool in vinegar.  The end goal would be to use no paint!

Thoughts?

[tom mann]

Kinda looks like the photos I've seen of the Titanic. ;D

[asciibaron]

anyone can that in HO, now lets see it in N scale

looks awesome.

-steve

[railbuilderdave]

How did you get the rust to look pitted?

[tom mann]

How did you get the rust to look pitted?

It is the activator chemical that does that.  I didn't have to do anything special.

[MrKLUKE]

.

[SquirrelHollow]

I think it looks great.  There are so many different types of corrosion, and different catalysts to start it...

Almost anything you can dream up probably has a prototype.

-
I'm tried both salt and vinegar for rusting steel wool.  Vinegar is, by far, the best choice.

It worked probably 5-10 times faster, provided better color, had better texture, and was much easier to rinse off than salt.

[tom mann]

TOM!

 Just an opinion...I'm don't like it. What a mess! I do respect your constant
urge to experiment and grow as a weatherer but the stuff you were doing with
salt was WAAAAY better.

 Thanks for reading my response! Hehe. You are the mad scientist of rust!

Jeff (MrKLUKE)   

Hey Jeff,

Anything specific that you don't like?  I think that the SophFin is too textured for use in HO scale.  It makes the rust look like it's rusted through - too heavy in my opinion.

[tom mann]

I'm tried both salt and vinegar for rusting steel wool.  Vinegar is, by far, the best choice.

I have some steel wool sitting in a closed jar of vinegar.  No rust is forming after three weeks.  What am I doing wrong?

My coffee can rust is looking great, on the other hand.

[DKS]

I have some steel wool sitting in a closed jar of vinegar.  No rust is forming after three weeks.  What am I doing wrong?

Your jar is closed, and the vinegar has gone "flat" (the oxygen dissolved in it has been used up). Since oxygen is needed to form iron oxide, no rusting can take place any more.

Pour out the old vinegar. Shake a fresh bottle of vinegar vigorously to add more dissolved oxygen before pouring it over the steel wool. Leave the jar open as the reaction takes place (you may need to place the jar in the garage or someplace to avoid the vinegar smell).

Note that steel wool will rust just fine with plain (but well-oxygenated) tap water, since only oxygen, iron and water are needed for the reaction; the vinegar aids in removing impurities from the surface of the iron so that the reaction can take place more thoroughly, and also contributes electrolytes that accelerate rusting (which is why cars in the Northeast, which get doused with de-icing salts every year, rot out more quickly).

Also note that supermarket steel wool (like Brillo) may be stainless steel or a similar rust-resistant material; the best steel wool to use is sold in hardware stores in the plumbing section, which is used for cleaning copper pipes before soldering.

BTW, I think your new corrosion effects look simply fantastic. I love the rich textures.

[sparky]

How about using an aquarium pump and air stone to aerate the vinegar?

[Ryan87]

you can just place the cap on the jar and it will keep the smell in (I use an old Mayonnaise jar with a plastic lid (metal lid doesn't work the greatest)

Also with respects to the SF did you paint the car afterwards? The paint on the roofwalk looks really thick... (Kinda like an old anode rod out of a hot water tank )

[chuck geiger]

I am calling the CDC!

[railbuilderdave]

Okay, what am I missing here.  What do you do with the rusty steel wool?  Where can I read more about these great ideas everyone is talking about so I don't have to be so in the dark and feel as green as I am.  Thanks for putting up with this newbie.
Dave

[tom mann]

Okay, what am I missing here.  What do you do with the rusty steel wool?  Where can I read more about these great ideas everyone is talking about so I don't have to be so in the dark and feel as green as I am.  Thanks for putting up with this newbie.
Dave

Hi Dave:

I haven't posted an example using rusty steel wool, but I'm sure that others have.  This car uses Sophisticated Finishes as a rust base.  Future iterations of my cars will use rust from a rusty coffee can and the rusty steel wool.  Do some searches here in this forum to pick up some techniques to get you started.

A while back, Shawn Vann took some of my forum postings and created a downloadable PDF:  http://mannresearch.com/rr/shawnvann/tommann_weathering72.pdf .  This will get you started.