Rusting Metal Pieces

Leslie D
by Leslie D
We recently bought a reproduction industrial cart coffee table with the big metal wheels, but didn't like how "new and black" the metal was. We used the Modern Masters Metal Effects Iron Oxide paint and rusting agent to age them a bit, and love the way it turned out. I also had some big metal stars that I picked up at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore and decided to do the same treatment on them.
We hung everything on a laundry cart to make the pieces easier to work on. Luckily, our entry is still concrete floor (still working on tile), so it made a perfect spot to set up without worry of dripping on a finished floor.
Taped off the wood for protection
The paint
Painting 2 coats of iron oxide paint onto each piece
After first spray of rust activator
After 2nd spray of activator
Wheel before
Wheel after rust
Front Wheel after Rust
corner metal after rust
Stars complete
The finished product. We clearcoated the wheels, which toned down the rust a bit, but did not want the rust on our rug. Looks nicely aged.
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