How to Rust Galvanized Barbed-Wire
How to Rust Galvanized Barbed-Wire
Barbed wire was invented for use in fields and pastures for livestock housing in the 1800s. It is common for old wire to show signs of substantial rusting because of its constant use outside in the elements. Modern barbed wire comes with a galvanized coating to help inhibit rust. The zinc is what prevents the metal from rusting and it requires removal in order to get rust to form. Giving barbed wire an aged appearance takes only a few days once the protective coating is removed and the chemical oxidation process is started.
Instructions
1 Remove the outer covering of zinc coating from the barbed wire using fine-grit sandpaper or a steel wool pad.
2 Pour hot water into a large bucket or wash tub and add 3 tbsp. household table salt. Stir the water to help the salt dissolve.
3 Coil the zinc-free barbed wire into the water so it is completely submerged. If necessary, add water to ensure complete coverage.
4 Agitate the water by stirring it every 15 to 30 minutes for the first few hours. Leave the coiled wire in the water for eight hours.
5 Lay newspaper out on a flat level surface like concrete or a wooden panel. Choose a location with ample sunlight that will stay for at least four hours. Remove the barbed wire from the water and place it instantly on the paper. Do not dry it, but avoid having pools of water left for it to sit in during rusting.
6 Check the wire for the beginning of oxidation when you lose the sun exposure. Repeat the process of water and sunlight a second time if you don't see significant change in the wire.
