Hydrogen Peroxide To Rust Metal On Purpose

Hydrogen Peroxide and Rust

Table of Contents

Rusting is an unavoidable process that all metals inevitably undergo. However, in the light of modern trends, people have started to embrace rusted metal surfaces with innovative designs instead of fussing over this natural phenomenon.

It can take months or even years. And there is no logical sense in waiting years to practically apply your idea. So what can you do if you want a customized patina? Let’s suppose this thanksgiving?

Rusting is just a fancy word for oxidizing iron, and when it comes to inducing oxidation, there is no other tool greater than hydrogen peroxide. It has proven itself as a potent oxidizing agent in households as well as industrial procedures. But how does hydrogen peroxide par against producing rust? How quick is its action and is there a catch to it?

So without further ado, let’s begin!

How Does Hydrogen Peroxide Help in Rusting Metal?

Rusting is a natural oxidation process that almost all metals undergo. However, some metals like iron are more easily rusted than metal like aluminum. The main culprit to cause rust is oxygen and moisture from the atmosphere. Gradually the upper layer of metal starts to deteriorate by reacting with oxygen to form metal oxides. Therefore, coatings like paint or glaze can protect the metal from rusting by conserving the inner layer.

In our experiment, we use hydrogen peroxide along with vinegar and salt. Hydrogen peroxide has loose oxygen bonded to its molecule. This oxygen readily breaks away after environmental exposure like air or sun. Hence, hydrogen peroxide can act as an excellent oxidizing agent.

This process is further enhanced by the presence of acetic acid (vinegar). Hydrogen peroxide reacts with vinegar to form peracetic acid which is corrosive and can eat away the metal. Salt acts as an electrolyte which lowers the electrical resistance of the whole process and allows the oxygen atoms to be exchanged easily.

Hydrogen peroxide provides an excellent way you can observe all of this stratagem happening. It is seen in the form of bubbling and a color change of the metal surface. This is your iron reacting with oxygen to form the brown iron oxide. Once the procedure is complete, you can remove the rust if you want. However, the iron that has become rusted will never go back to being iron.

Nonetheless, after introducing all three components onto the metal, it is only a matter of minutes before the frizzing starts and beautiful rust is formed onto the surface!

Rusting Metal With Hydrogen Peroxide – 7 Simple Steps

Now that we know exactly how hydrogen peroxide can react with metal, we can discuss how to apply this procedure.

Rusting metal can be tough and somewhat dangerous if you are not careful. Fortunately, we have collected and expressed the whole procedure in simple easy steps. The descriptions are thorough and easy to comprehend so that you can have the best results!

1. Prepare Your Working Space

The first and the most critical step is to isolate the metal you want to rust. Unfortunately, we often forget to follow this simple step, leading to poor results or unwanted reactions.

Rusting is a slow chemical process. And as we are inducing this rusting process in a matter of minutes, things may get messy. Therefore, it is best to have a clean space like a garage or backyard while doing this procedure. This goes without saying. Any chemicals in the vicinity may react with hydrogen peroxide and hinder the rusting process.

One key point you should keep in mind is that the space you are using should be open. This is because direct sunlight speeds up the rusting process. Moreover, the hydrogen peroxide reaction and vinegar give off mild levels of fumes, which can accumulate in a closed space.

2. Clean the Metal Surface(Remove Paint, If Any)

The second step is to remove all the grease, paint, glaze, etc., from the surface of the metal. Even if your metal is not painted, you can feel an oily layer over the surface, along with some fingerprints.

Place a plastic sheet under your metal so that the paint does not spread. To remove the paint, we recommend using a paint stripper according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure that the metal is entirely free of any paints by scruffing off the remaining paint flecks.

To remove the oily coating, use a degreaser. Using a spray bottle, coat the metal with the degreaser and rub off the surface using a cloth using a spray bottle. You will instantly notice a thick layer of black sludge which otherwise would have prevented your metal from getting proper rust! Repeat the process one more time to ensure you have got all the grease away from the metal.

3. Use a Fine-Grit Sandpaper to Sand the Surface

One thing you can do to enhance the effects of rust is sandpapering your metal. By doing this, you are making sure to wipe away any protective layer of metal which could prevent rusting.

Take sandpaper, sand block, or even a power sander and just go through and sand the whole thing. However, you don’t want to get a crazy girth. A few swirls would be enough to strip away any protective layer present on the metal.

Another optional thing you can do is cover the metal with painter’s tape to give an excellent design to your rust. After covering the metal with the tape, you should clear coat the uncovered part. This leaves the part unrusted, and you can customize any design you want! Next, remove the painter’s tape and then move on to the next step.

4. Apply an Acidic Substance on the Surface

Now that we have done the preparation, put on gloves and goggles and let the actual rusting process begin!

First, assemble the tools you need. Take two spray bottles with millilitres and ounces mentioned on them. Moreover, you will need the trusty bottle of hydrogen peroxide, a few ounces of pure white vinegar, and half a tablespoon of salt.

Before making the rusting solution, we are going to apply pure white vinegar over the metal surface. You can do this by pouring vinegar into the spray bottle and thoroughly spraying the whole metal surface. Then, let the metal dry, and repeat the process about four to five times.

What vinegar does is it starts eating away the metal just enough for a mild rusting process to begin. This allows the metal to be entirely ready for the read rusting solution, and we can rust it more effectively.

5. Use an Acidic Solution of Hydrogen Peroxide and Salt

By now, your metal will start to appear somewhat rusted because of white vinegar. You can now prepare the real rusting solution! Take two cups (16 ounces) of hydrogen peroxide, four tablespoons (2 ounces) of white vinegar, and half a teaspoon of salt. Mix all of them up in a plastic spray bottle and shake it vigorously to form a homogenous mixture. Once the salt is absorbed, you can move on to spraying the metal with this solution.

With some distance between you and the metal object, start spraying the metal with the solution. However, be mindful of the rust texture you want. Spray the metal partially if you want a nice-coppery look. For an intricate and textured patina, thoroughly coat the metal surface with the solution. Just as the solution comes into contact with the metal, you will notice bubbling and instant fuming. This is the work of hydrogen peroxide enhanced by white vinegar.

Let the metal sit in the sun for about five minutes, or more depending on the object’s size. After that, you can customize the rust patina by repeating the process one more time. For a hard and solid patina, you can spray the metal up to four times.

6. Wipe the Surface Completely Dry

Once you are satisfied with the rust, you can stop the process. If you applied a painter’s tape, make sure to watch out for rusting reactions at the site. If one is observed, reapply the clear coat using a cloth.

If you feel like the rust you want has reached, remove any wet solution present on the metal surface using a cloth and move on to the next step.

7. Apply a Sealer to Preserve the Look

Once all of the steps are completed, you can seal the look by applying a clear coat or a sealer. This prevents further rusting and allows your design to be preserved for years to come.

You can use an acrylic sealer or an aerosol can. One common misconception among people is that the aerosol sprays undo the rusting. They prevent the metal from further rusting rather than undoing it. Apply a thin layer of sealer and a beautiful rust patina you made!

Why Do We Rust Metal on Purpose?

With so many rust-removing techniques and cleaners out there, why would someone want to do the opposite and induce rust? Sometimes the rough patina isn’t always unwelcomed, especially if you are a man of modern designs and appeal!

To Give it a Vintage Look

Iron and metalworks will, of course, rust when given some time and exposure to oxygen and moisture. However, with our savvy do-it-yourself techniques, you can give a solid rusted look to the newer metals.

The procedure is simple and customizable. By using painter’s tape and cleaning sprays, you can select the specific part you want to rust and make a beautiful texture at home! They will look great in your garage, backyard, or even the drawing-room.

It’s the Perfect Science Experiment to Observe Oxidation

If you are a science geek and love to see how chemicals work, induced rusting may just be the thing for you.

The hydrogen peroxide and vinegar action on the metal surface is an excellent way to observe how the oxidation process occurs. Just after a few minutes of applying, you will start to notice the crispy rust along with bubbling and fumes. All in all, it makes a fun experiment to do at home!

To Produce Iron Oxide

The brown rust over the metal surface is called iron oxide. It is the chemical formed after iron reacts with oxygen and changes its composition. But did you know it has other implications too, apart from ambiance?

Uses of Iron Oxide

Iron oxide is one of the most resilient pigments available in the market. They are highly valued due to their non-toxicity, opacity, weather-resistant properties, and lack of tendency to react. Moreover, iron oxide is used in the following industries:

  • Pharmaceutical industries
  • Paint industry
  • Plastic industry
  • Ink industry
  • Cosmetic industry

In addition, the iron oxide contains mica that provides excellent anti-corrosive properties. All of these benefits can be obtained by the easy process of inducing rust using hydrogen peroxide and vinegar.

What Concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide is Ideal for Rusting Metal?

Hydrogen peroxide comes in all types of concentrations. The minimal 0.5% hydrogen peroxide can often be found on supermarket shelves. And the range can go all the way up to the industry-grade 90% hydrogen peroxide, which is not commonly available(and should not be!). Because at this concentration, hydrogen peroxide is so potent that it can be used to power rockets!

However, we recommend using the trusty 3% hydrogen peroxide concentration when it comes to rusting iron. This is because this concentration of hydrogen peroxide not only has the best efficiency, but it is also the one that’s most commonly available.

At this concentration, hydrogen peroxide is strong enough to cause sufficient oxidation but not so much that it may cause physical harm. Other procedures may recommend using 6% hydrogen peroxide, but we believe with vinegar and salt as your supplements, 3% hydrogen peroxide is adequate to give a nice, solid patina.

You Must Take Safety Precautions!

Although the procedure to rust iron and metalworks is relatively straightforward, you should take some precautions while performing the experiment.

The utmost precaution you should take is wearing proper safety equipment while experimenting. This includes a pair of safety goggles and waterproof gloves. These personal protective equipment (PPE) are a good idea when working with liquids that could splash in your eyes. Moreover, the gloves protect you from prolonged contact with the corrosive chemical mixture.

Another vital thing to keep in mind is performing the procedure in a well-ventilated space. We have also highlighted this in the relative steps in the procedure. Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar, when reacting with the metal surface, produce somewhat corrosive fumes.

This goes without saying. While doing the procedure, make sure there are no children in the vicinity. And if there are, make sure they are protected with personal protective equipment!

The Bottom Line

Rusting iron is one of the most common chemical reactions around us. It is happening all the time to the metals exposed to air and moisture, albeit at a much slower rate. Moreover, if you admire an aged patina and the crusty design, waiting years to get one is not ideal!

By mixing hydrogen peroxide with salt and vinegar, you can cut years of rust. Moreover, the best part about using the homemade mixture is that you can control the degree of rust you want and the design on your metal using your creativity and ideas.

So, if you want to decorate your walls with beautiful patinas this Christmas, grab a set of hydrogen peroxide bottles today!

Faizan Khan
Faizan Khan
Leave a Reply
Shopping Cart