Rust Spirit applied to wall art by GK Designs

Top 3 ways to make metal look old

Decorating, How To Guides -

The Owatrol Spirit range makes it possible to create a variety of decorative effects to make metal look old.

The following three products can create beautiful unique finishes that can be quickly and safely created.

Rust Spirit

Owatrol Rust Spirit is a rust activating spray for creating decorative oxidised effects on ferrous metals or surfaces that have been treated with Reactiv Leaf Rust.

Leaving something to rust and weather naturally can look beautiful, but can also cause damage and you may not get the desired look you wanted to achieve.

Using Rust Spirit allows you to easily and specifically choose how you want your new surface to look by adding more or less of the product.

Application

If you have a ferrous metal surface in which you wish to treat with Rust Spirit, you must first remove any finishes that are currently on the surface. Once the surface is clean and dry, you are then ready to apply the Rust Spirit.

Application of Rust Spirit on ferrous metal

One appropriate preparation has taken place, you can then apply the Rust Spirit.

  • Apply Rust Spirit straight from the spray bottle, sponge, brush or cloth
  • Rust formation will start to form quickly. If rust does not occur, this means there is a protective film on the surface which needs to be removed before re-applying Rust Spirit.
  • Repeat the application of Rust Spirit at regular intervals (15-30 minutes) until the desired effect and colour has been achieved.

Once you are satisfied with the finished result, the process should be stopped, left to dry and finally protected in one of two ways;

Application of Rust Spirit on other surfaces

It is possible to apply Rust Spirit onto other surfaces and still get an oxidised effect. To do this you must firstly paint the surface with Reactiv Leaf Rust– an anthracite base coat paint

  • Apply the first coat of Reactiv Leaf Rust
  • After 5 minutes and while the surface is still wet/moist, apply the Rust Spirit – be sure to only apply via the spray bottle. Do not use a sponge, brush or cloth to apply or you will wipe both the Rust Spirit and the Reactiv Leaf Rust off the surface.

Once you are satisfied with the finished result, the process should be stopped, left to dry and finally protected in one of two ways;

Take a look at our demonstration video below for more information

Copper Spirit

Another way to make your metal look old is to use Owatrol Copper Spirit – a grey-green (verdigris) activator for creating realistic aged copper effects on bare copper surfaces, or surfaces that have been treated with Reactive Leaf Copper.

Leaving copper exposed to weather naturally can create beautiful colour and dimension to the surface. However, you may wish to speed the process along by using a product such as Copper Spirit.

Likewise with all of the Spirit range, using one of the activators is a great way to quickly and easily create as much or as little verdigris to allow complete control over the aesthetic of the surface.

Application

If you have a ferrous metal surface in which you wish to treat with Copper Spirit, you must first remove any finishes that are currently on the surface. Once the surface is clean and dry, you are then ready to apply the Copper Spirit.

Application of Copper Spirit on ferrous metal

One appropriate preparation has taken place, you can then apply the Copper Spirit.

  • Apply Copper Spirit straight from the spray bottle, sponge, brush or cloth
  • Verdigris will start to form quickly. If it does not occur, this means there is a protective film on the surface which needs to be removed before re-applying Copper Spirit.
  • Repeat the application of Copper Spirit at regular intervals (15-30 minutes) until the desired effect and colour has been achieved.
  • If you find the verdigris effect is too pronounced you can apply touch up applications of Reactiv Leaf Copper

Once you are satisfied with the finished result, the process should be stopped, left to dry and finally protected in one of two ways;

Application of Copper Spirit on other surfaces

It is possible to apply Copper Spirit onto other surfaces and still get an oxidised effect. To do this you must firstly paint the surface with Reactiv Leaf Copper – a copper effect paint finish.

  • Apply the first coat of Reactiv Leaf Copper
  • After 5 minutes and while the surface is still wet/moist, apply the Copper Spirit – be sure to only apply via the spray bottle. Do not use a sponge, brush or cloth to apply or you will wipe the Copper Spirit and the Reactiv Leaf Copper off the surface.

Once you are satisfied with the finished result, the process should be stopped, left to dry and finally protected in one of two ways;

Bronze Spirit

Another way to make metal look old is to use Owatrol Bronze Spirit – a blue oxide activator for creating realistic decorative effects on bare bronze surfaces or surfaces treated with Reactiv Leaf Bronze.

Leaving bronze to weather naturally can create a beautiful patina. However, you may wish to achieve the finished result quicker and safer by using a product such as Bronze Spirit.

Likewise with all of the Spirit range, using one of the activators is a great way to quickly and easily create as much or as little oxidization as you want to allow complete control over the aesthetic of the surface.

Application

If you have a ferrous metal surface in which you wish to treat with Bronze Spirit, you must first remove any finishes that are currently on the surface. Once the surface is clean and dry, you are then ready to apply the Bronze Spirit.

Application of Bronze Spirit on ferrous metal

One appropriate preparation has taken place, you can then apply the Bronze Spirit.

  • Apply the Bronze Spirit straight from the spray bottle, sponge, brush or cloth
  • Oxidisation will start to form quickly. If it does not occur, this means there is a protective film on the surface which needs to be removed before re-applying Bronze Spirit
  • Repeat the application of Bronze Spirit at regular intervals (15-30 minutes) until the desired effect and colour has been achieved
  • If you find the oxidization effect is too pronounced you can apply touch up applications of Reactiv Leaf Bronze

Once you are satisfied with the finished result, the process should be stopped, left to dry and finally protected in one of two ways;

Application of Bronze Spirit on other surfaces

It is possible to apply Bronze Spirit onto other surfaces and still get an oxidised effect. To do this you must firstly paint the surface with Reactiv Leaf Bronze – a bronze effect paint finish.

  • Apply the first coat of Reactiv Leaf Bronze
  • After 5 minutes and while the surface is still wet/moist, apply the Bronze Spirit – be sure to only apply via the spray bottle. Do not use a sponge, brush or cloth to apply or you will wipe the Bronze Spirit and the Reactiv Leaf Bronze off the surface.

Once you are satisfied with the finished result, the process should be stopped, left to dry and finally protected in one of two ways;

Spirit Range on soap dispensers by GK Designs
Image credit to GK Designs

Special thank you to Glenn of GK Designs for the images of his amazing work using our Spirit Range. To see more of his work, head on over to his Facebook page or his Instagram page.

We hope you found this post interesting. If you have any other tips, tricks or advice, please leave them in the comment sections below. We always love hearing from you.

To keep up to date with all things Owatrol, why not follow our social media pages? You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest @owatroluk or at the hashtag #owatroluk

Top 3 ways to make metal look old - Pinterest

Owatrol Team
About Owatrol Team

Our team are ready and willing to support you with your requirements whether it is protecting your newly laid deck or renovating a luxury yacht, whatever the application Owatrol has the solution you are looking for.

4 thoughts on “Top 3 ways to make metal look old”

  1. Good afternoon

    Would like to know which product you applied to the soap dispenser 4th on the right of your picture, and if it would work on steel.
    Thank you

    Reply

    1. Hi there Elizabeth,

      Thanks for your query.

      The dispenser on the very right hand side has been treated with an application of Reactiv Leaf Rust to make the surface ferrous and then an application of Rust Spirit to create the rusted effect.

      You can find more information on these two products here:
      Reactiv Leaf Rust: https://www.owatroldirect.co.uk/product/reactiv-leaf-rust/
      Rust Spirit: https://www.owatroldirect.co.uk/product/rust-spirit/

      If you have any further questions, please feel free to send us an email to: sales@owatroluk.com hit the ‘chat with us button’ on the bottom right on every page, or give us a call on: 01582 592707 where we may be able to assist you quicker.

      All the best,
      The Owatrol Team

      Reply

    1. Hi there Roehl,

      Owatrol Bronze Spirit is a blue oxide activator for creating realistic decorative effects on both bare bronze surfaces as well as surfaces treated with Owatrol Reactiv Leaf Bronze.

      Please feel free to give us a call on: 01582 592707 or email us directly at: sales@owatroluk.com if you have any further queries.

      All the best,
      The Owatrol Team

      Reply

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