Friday, November 5, 2010

homemade rust

(caution: images below are really gross)


To get this home made batch of rust,
I placed all of my metal pieces (bottle caps in this case) face down in a bath of:
hydrogen peroxide 
and
salt
I did this outdoors just in case there's something dangerous about this combo
(I don't think there is - but better to be safe than passed out)


It generated a luscious sludgeful toxic dump sort of soup within minutes
I just left them in the bubbling broth for a couple of hours 
and voila (wocka wocka):


really cool streetside treasure for my metal quilt


19 comments:

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

A very interesting project. I have no doubt it will turn out as beautifully as all your other artistic projects. Have a great weekend. :) Tammy

*jean* said...

ooo clever! they look great!

sukipoet said...

double bubble toil and trouble, heh heh heh

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

OH MY GOSH. I rust paper, I rust metal, I rust just about any and everything I can find using vinegar and salt (or plain old water for metal), but I have NEVER heard of using hydrogen peroxide and salt. What AMAZING results you got! I'm totally impressed and must try doing it this way, soon!!! LOVE THIS IDEA.

ooglebloops said...

This is gonna look great!! Someday your little quilt will be a commentary on old breweries gone by!!!!

Gayle Price said...

This latest project of yours is fascinating me, I can't wait to see what you will be doing next........ I love the photo of the sludgy, toxic concoction.

Yvonne said...

How bout that...learn something new every day! :) Can't wait to see your project finished!

Elizabeth said...

YOU are a marvel.

Halle said...

These are even more cool now! They truly look like the ones I've picked up on the road. Can't wait to see wait you have up you sleeve!!

Terri Kahrs said...

Amazing how such a simple solution can produce such a rich texture!!! Love the idea of using the hydrogen peroxide! Hugs, Terri xoxo

Ani said...

Wow. Who knew that one day we'd Want to create rust? And I'm so glad you shared the secret to doing it!

Carola Zajdman said...

Can´t wait to see the final work !!

ShabbyChicShaz said...

Gross was right, but wow, wonderful results :)

Dianne said...

Very cool... I'll have to try it!

Renee Howell said...

love your "better to be safe than passed out" line. hilarious! I had no idea there was a concoction to speed along the rusting process. Thanks Kimmie!

Lynn Cohen said...

Very cool. How much of each please?

Unknown said...

I'm off to buy some peroxide today (er are out!) Thanks for the tip. You're a genius!

Lisa said...

Wow, that's really cool! And a fast process. I wonder if you can do anything with the rusty sludge. Like swirl pieces of fabric in it, or drip it to make rust spots on the fabric? Hmmmmm.

Lyn said...

Cool - Never heard of the peroxide method. I'm off to the dollar store for a supply! Then home to dig out my stash of bottle caps, nails, etc.