How to rust galvanized metal roofing

Are you curious to find out how to rust galvanized metal roofing?

Metal roofs are a popular alternative for homeowners due to their longevity and durability. They are adept at protecting households from harsh weather conditions.

They also come in various styles and colors, but one stylistic manner has become a big hit for homeowners: the rustic steel look.

This particular roofing procedure is done by speeding up the aging process, which enhances the aesthetic value of your home.

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What are the different ways of rusting galvanized metal roofing?

Do you like antiques and are partial to the “shabby chic” look? Maybe you should turn home to look like one antiquated item. All the decorative metal pieces in your house can have this rusty appeal, including your roof.

There are items in your household that can achieve this look in galvanized metal, like salt, vinegar, and toilet cleaner. You can even use hydrogen peroxide and hydrochloric acid.

All of these items have chemicals that induce oxidation in galvanized metal.

Rusting galvanized metal roofing with toilet cleaner

Using toilet cleaner to rust galvanized metal is a straightforward procedure that does not involve abrasive chemicals.

You will need:

Toilet bowl cleaner
Galvanized metal roofing sheets
Steel wool
Old towels
Gloves
Hand snips

First, put your gloves on, get the steel wool and slowly rub it on the galvanized metal sheets. You will be removing the protective layer from the sheets that protects them from different weather conditions.

To achieve the rustic appeal of the metal panels, you have to scrape the whole sheet with steel wool to completely remove the protective layering.

A toilet bowl cleaner is a common household item, so get it from your bathroom and pour it on the entire metal panel. The more you will use, the more rustic it will look.

Take the steel wool and it on all the corners of the metal panels. Tear some of it up to strips and set them to dry in different areas.

Leave the metal panels along with the steel wool strips stuck to them for twenty-four hours. If it is hot out, you do not need to wait for the whole day to dry.

After twenty-four hours, get an old towel and wet it with water. Then wipe the whole panel to remove the steel wool strips and toiler cleaner.

Once done, your galvanized metal sheets will look shiny along with an added rustic appeal. There will be dark spots due to the steel wool strips left on them as they dried.

Use the hand snips to cut the galvanized metal panels into strips and set them up on your roof.

Rusting galvanized metal roofing with vinegar

You would not have a problem getting vinegar since it is a common kitchen item. You might have some doubts if it can rust galvanized metal panels, but it really can.

Vinegar’s main ingredients are acetic acid and water, which can immediately oxidize the metal panels. Applying vinegar on them is also straightforward.

You will need:

Vinegar
Galvanized metal roofing sheets
Steel wool or sandpaper
Old towels
Gloves
Spray bottle
Acrylic sealer
Hand snips

As before, take steel wool, sandpaper, or any other abrasive material to remove the protective layer on the metal panels.

Then pour the vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it on the whole metal sheet. If you do not have a spray bottle, you can use paper towels for spreading the vinegar.

Once the vinegar dries, repeat the whole process to achieve the best results.

If you are not happy with what you see, use the abrasive material to scrape off the metal sheet again and repeat the process.

Let the vinegar completely dry for twenty-four hours.

Once done, you will see that the sheets are now full of rust, so spray them with an acrylic sealer to preserve them for the future. It will also help in making the metal panels look more beautiful.

Once done spraying the acrylic sealer, wait for a few hours, then cut the sheets with hand snips and install them on your roof.

Rusting galvanized metal roofing with muriatic acid and hydrogen peroxide

Hydrochloric acid (better known as muriatic acid) is another toilet bowl cleaning chemical. It is a common household item you can easily buy in shops that sell chemical products.

Here are the items you need:

Muriatic acid
Hydrogen peroxide
Galvanized metal roofing sheets
Steel wool or sandpaper
Old towels
Gloves
Goggles
Two spray bottles
Acrylic sealer
Hand snips

Along with muriatic acid, you will also need hydrogen peroxide for rusting the galvanized metal panels.

You will need to position the metal panels on a workbench so that the application process will be easier. And also, the procedure needs the sheets to be well-ventilated.

If the day is sunny, so much the better since it will dry faster. Muriatic acid is also hazardous to your eyes and skin, so make sure you are wearing gloves and protective goggles.

Rub the metal sheets with steel wool, sandpaper, or other abrasive material.

Once done, pour the muriatic acid in one spray bottle and hydrogen peroxide on the other bottle. Spray muriatic acid first on the metal panels, then the hydrogen peroxide. When it dries, do the process again.

Leave it on the workbench to completely dry up for twenty-four hours. Later, you will see the sheets have become rusty, so apply acrylic sealer to preserve it look.

Rusting galvanized metal roofing with hydrogen peroxide, vinegar and salt

If you want to achieve an instant rusting effect, use this method. Here is what you need:

Vinegar
Hydrogen peroxide
Salt
Galvanized metal roofing sheets
Old towels
Gloves
Bucket
Acrylic sealer
Hand snips

Get a regular-sized bucket and put in vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and salt. Mix the ingredients, then slowly apply the solution to the metal sheets.

You will see the results immediately. Once dry, reapply again and wait for twenty-four hours. Then apply an acrylic sealer to preserve the rusty effect.

FAQ or frequently asked questions about how to rust galvanized metal roofing

Will the galvanized metal panels rust naturally after rusting them on purpose?

The procedures above did accelerate the rusting process, but the acrylic sealer applied at the end will slow the pace of oxidation.

If you do not apply acrylic sealer, it will rust quicker than normal since the protective layer of the metal sheets has been scrubbed away already.

Is there a place you can buy rusted galvanized metal panels?

Not everyone has the time and know-how to make their galvanized metal sheets have a rustic look, so for those who want that aesthetic for their roof, there are specialty stores and companies that sell it, and you can look for them online.

How can you paint a rusted galvanized metal roof?

If your galvanized metal roof has rusted normally and you are not a fan of the rusty look, you would want to paint over it.

All metal panels have a protective galvanized layer, which protects the roof from harsh weather conditions and leaks.

If you want to get rid of the rust on the roof, you have to paint it every four to five years. Here are a few easy steps to paint your rusted roof:

Removing the rust on the metal panels

Remove the rust with an abrasive material like sandpaper. Replace the rusty screws with new ones. If there are cracks or holes, apply roofing cement on them.

After getting rid of the rust, clean the panels with water and let them dry.

Applying primer on the metal sheets

Use a roller and coat the whole metal sheet with primer, which protects the rood from the harsh climate.

Applying paint on the metal panels

Apply acrylic paint on the metal panels the same way you have applies primer earlier and leave it to dry for a few hours.