How to Rust Metal for a Rat Rod

Vintage hot rods aren't "rusted," they have "character."

Rat rods are one of the biggest up and coming segments of hot rod culture today. They are cheap to build and fun to drive. Most rat rods don't need much help to attain the surface rust that is the signature of a home-built rat rod, but having a continuous theme is important. If you've had to purchase a new replacement panel that doesn't quite match the rest of the vehicle, it can stand out like a sore thumb. The fix is to weather the metal for the new panel so that it will match the rest of the car.

Things You'll Need

• 400-grit sandpaper

Instructions

1. Sand the panel with the 400-grit sandpaper to remove the protective coating applied by the factory. This may be a simple oil coating over bare metal or it might be primer. Either way, most of it will have to go.

2. Avoid sanding the edges of the panel. Rust at the edges of the panel can cause sharp edges, which are dangerous to handle. Leave the primer or protective coating intact on the unseen inside of the panel.

3. Place the panel outdoors where it will be exposed to the weather for at least two weeks. You can speed the process by spraying the surface with salt water, but this is not advisable; it will weather the metal much more harshly than how nature would. Once the metal has reached the patina you need, wipe away the excess mud or debris that has collected on the panel and place it on your rat rod.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid rusting your rat rod unless it is necessary for the overall look of the rod. Allowing rust to form increases the likelihood that the car will deteriorate beyond saving.

References

• "Old School Hot Rods"; Alan Mayes; 2006
• "How to Build a Traditional Ford Hot Rod, Revised Ed."; Mike Bishop; 2000
• Corrosionist: How Does Rust Form