DIY Rustic Look on Metal

Making Metal Look Aged and Distressed

Real old metal has a look of age - but sometimes you just can't wait that long.  So diy it! 

Here are a few ways to make new metal have an aged look - without waiting.  The paint that I use is either my go-to acrylic craft paint or something like Rustoleum or other metal paint.  Be prepared to make a mess!

If you're using flashing or other roof type metal, such as to make a sign or plaque, make sure it's completely clean.  Even to the point of using something like TSP (tri sodium phosphate) or other degreaser.  The manufacturing process uses oil to coat the metal, so to allow the paint to stick, you have to remove that.

Old metal that's already weathered probably won't have any oils left on it, but it never hurts to take it right down to a clean surface.  Dust, left on the metal, will cause the paint to peel off.

So, now that your metal is clean, start dabbing on some acrylic craft paint.  I usually start with a darker color, like brown, black or dark green.  It's easy to lighten the next coat or several with other colors, and, you'll wipe off most of the excess in between.

If it doesn't work out how you imagine, give it a quick sand with fine grit sand paper, or fine grade steel wool to remove most of it.  As the layers build up, the shiny surface disappears.  Random daubs and ragging make it look like it's really undergone the aging process.

To make sure you get the look you're after, use something designed for the project. Metal that is ready to paint, ie: has no oils left on it, will be easier to get the right look. Here's what I did with a lamp base found on the side of the road.

After we got it home, I put it in the utility sink and sprayed it carefully with bleach to remove any surface contaminants, and clean it really well. The bleach actually started the fake brass metal rusting already, so it was already under way when I got the paint I was looking for at Amazon.

A few coats later, it looks terrible!

The next step is a special aging solution, sold by the same company. This speeds up the oxydation process to give you the look you're after.

Giving it a couple of coats, then waiting for the results to emerge in time, was all it took to give me the look of old and rustic, with the help of some paint.

What will you use this kind of technique on?