Rust has always fascinated me because it has a wonderful physiological effect on my state of being. May You Be Well: Rust Painting by Sean Healy

There is hidden treasure in the Bramble Fabrication Forum by Heath Satow http://www.publicsculpture.com/ that goes under the following heading; Good, fast rust - Step by step process. Here is the link http://www.artmetal.com/brambush/forum/bramyak3/messages/732.html

That process is great fun but a little bit on the heavy chemical side for me.I stay clear of Nasty Acid's for the very same reason that I didn't use angle grinders; mainly because they are so unforgiving. I am more interested in building up subtle detail gradually, in the future for sure the angle grinder but Nasty Acid's never. If you start playing with acid you must consider the consequences. For me household vinegar works perfectly. Putting on the rust is only the half of it. You must learn to work back into the rust. One step backwards to steps forward.

Making Rust the way I do isn't a pleasant vocation all of the time. Sanding back is part of the process. Rust Dust Particles are going to be in the air and on you pretty much everywhere. You need appropriate gloves and Safety Glasses and a heavy duty Respirator(face mask). Different gloves for different chores. My favorite's are light weight electrician gloves, I buy them from my Mum she sells them at Garden Club Meetings. I work through them pretty fast but it's so worth it.

Your going to need a good well oiled drill with various attachments for taking back rust, polishing metal and mark making. The Selection of drill attachments in Germany for rust painting is Amazing. Remember when you hold the drill you wear your Mask! The next thing you need is an outside workplace. Don't con yourself into thinking otherwise. Half in Half out is Ideal.

CHECKLIST: OUTSIDE AND INSIDE SPACE BASE MATERIAL (MILD STEEL SHEETS) MEDIUM: ACID RAIN WATER OXYGEN TOOLS FOR THE MEDIUMS: APPLICATION TOOLS LIKE SPRAY MISTERS, BRUSHES, CLOTHS, SPONGES, SYRINGES, FUNNELS,BUCKETS, STEEL WOOL, KITCHEN ROLL. DRILL: WITH VARIOUS ATTACHMENTS FOR SANDING BACK, POLISHING AND MARK MAKING. HEALTH AND SAFETY GEAR: A SELECTION OF MASK'S, GLOVES AND EYE PROTECTION. HEAT GUN: YOU CAN HEAT THE METAL BEFORE OF AFTER APPLYING ANY SORT OF MEDIUM, THIS WILL ACCELERATE THE PROCESS AND OFFER DIFFERENT RESULTS. NOTE GAS HEAT GUNS ADD MOISTURE TO THE AIR. I PREFER GAS OUTSIDE AND ELECTRIC INSIDE. SEALANTS: ALOT OF THE ART METAL COMMUNITY USE LAQUER BUT FOR THESE I HAVE USED VARNISHES AND EPOXY RESIN. DO AS YOU LIKE, SEALING CAN PROTECT DELICATE RUST FROM GETTING KNOCKED AGAINST AND SMUDGED.

I don't stabilize them and I wouldn't consider them stable. I have been kind in that I stayed clear of any acid stronger than vinegar. I don't panic about neutralizing, some area's have been exposed to rust remover's but only for aesthetic purpose's. Subtle changes happen over time for sure, I like this and encourage it, ever changing is good. Don't forget to collect rainwater. A small interview can be read on http://rustpainting.com/

DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT ENCOURAGING ANYONE TO DO ANY OF THIS.

ps thanks for the push Rich