i need to know how to turn aluminum sheets rusty?

Answer 1

As mentioned before aluminum will not rust, you might take some steel wool and buff the surface. This may leave particle of steel imbeded on the surface, which will eventually rust.
Hope it helps.

Answer 2

Aluminum Oxide is formed by an Oxidation reaction. The common Layman's term for this effect is to rust. Some metals like Iron form rust that flakes off to reveal more unprotected metal thus propogating the reaction. There are however some metals, Like aluminum, that rust to form protective barriers that prevent further oxidation of the underlying metal. Aluminum Oxidizes fairly quickly after a new surface is exposed and is a clear mineral that can be colored with various pigments, this is the basis of Anodization. Also, the layman's term for blue tinged Aluminum oxide in a solid chunk is Saphire. If your goal in asking this question is to collect Aluminum Oxide you would be better served using Aluminum Powder than Panels, as the Powder has more surface area to allow the reaction to take place at a quicker rate. If your goal is to have light-weight panels that appear to be rusted Iron your best bet would be to get some metal Primer and several different Iron Oxide colored paints and do some stage painting effects.

P.S. the White powdery substance that forms on old Aluminum window frames isn't Aluminum oxide, it is some other aluminum compound.

Answer 3

Has anyone mentioned that Aluminum will not rust??LOL
Just kidding:)

You can get a blackish~grayish splotchy look by using hot water and TSP/Tri-Sodium-Phosphate,,,stuff used for cleaning,available in paint departments,,,same stuff in old **** & Span cleaner.

You can FAKE it to get the Reddish Rust look.
Get a bucket of water,,add some salt,,add some Steel Wool pads,,,let them sit and dissolve in the water till the water is totally a rusty sludge.
Then "paint " the rusty sludge water onto the aluminum,,,let it dry,,and re-coat.
It's Not Easy,,and Not quick,
Then you'll have to seal it because it's VERY fragile surface finish.

You CAN electroplate aluminum with Iron,,,but it's Nasty,Expensive,,and comes out Terrible.
Which is why it's so rarely seen.
But,,maybe exactly what You want?

You can "fake" an electroplate job too.
Use a battery charger,,
connect Hot/Red to the plate,,,
make a brush outa steel wool & connect Ground/Black to that.
Dip Brush in some heavy salt water,,almost "paste",
Start brushing.
It literally "melts " the steel to the aluminum.
Which rusts.

sparks flying,,smoke,fumes,,RUBBER GLOVES,,SEALED Eye protection-FullGoggles,,mouth/nose mask,,all that stuff.

NOT a kitchen table project

Or,,put the sheets in a tank,,a plastic tub,,,kiddie pool,,whatever size you need.
An Old,Rusty steel barrel works OK too--it can act as an electrode itself.
Fill it with heavy salt water enough to cover the plate
Might throw in some vinegar.
Makes an Electrolyte that wont oxidize & seal the aluminum so fast as actual plating acids do
Red/Hot goes to Plate
Black/Ground goes to a piece of Iron,,CLEAN Iron,,and not galvanized.
The Iron/steel molecules leave the iron and are deposited on the aluminum sheet.

The Iron CANNOT touch the aluminum plate,,it'll short the "circuit".

Looks like hell.
And it Will Rust.....the iron's stuck on the aluminum.
It's slow,,and Nasty.

Rubbing with sand under a wood block is cheaper than getting 'em sandblasted as a 'roughening prep",,,gives a "Rustier Texture" when done,,than smooth mill-finished aluminum

A Good TSP burn opens the pores a bit,,and gives a dark motly background to get started on.

And NONE of the above is really anything I'd suggest anyone try at home.

Rusting aluminum is one of those things that,,,,
"If You Gotta ASK,,,You Probably dont Need to Know"

But,,since Ya DID,,,thats a couple ways to at least fake-it to a couple different degrees.

DONT go Do that stuff,,Not Wise,,,it's difficult,tricky,and can be dangerous.

Best Suggestion:
If you NEED a rusty Look,,use iron sheets

Or,,consider laminating iron foil or thin sheet onto the aluminum.

Be CAREFUL ,Be Smart,STAY Safe

Answer 4

Oxidizing Aluminum

Answer 5

aluminum doesn't rust, an aluminum sheet may oxidize (that's what rusting is by the way) but oxidized aluminum is toxic. A way to do this is to heat it up, a lot. A blast furnace that won't melt it will lkely do it. Watch for the vapors though, they are deadly.

Answer 6

Aluminum oxidizes to a white powder. To look like iron oxide you'll need to buy spray paint(s) that will similate rust. Reynwater, Bagnel, and beangrandmama probably failed chemistry. Aluminum does NOT rust. And Bagnel, it's VOILA' not wala.

Answer 7

you can contaminate the surface by using a high speed carbon steel brush and abrade the surface of the aluminum. The aluminum will not rust but the contaminant will...you will gain the desired effect with almost zero cost...

Answer 8

I my as well throw my 2 cents in,,, I know aluminum won't rust,,, It oxidizes,,, but did you know that Rust is the slowest form of combustion,,, Pretty cool huh??

Answer 9

let the sheet touches iron metal,, or zink or plumbum or copper... anything below aluminum in reactivity series

Answer 10

Cat Pee will deteriorate the aluminum metal and make it disgusting, but even it will not make aluminum rust. It will make it decay , but not rust.