What is the easiest way to patina steel, such as sheet metal or plate without just rusting it?

Answer 1

what color do you want?
For a lot of blacksmithing the final color is black. Just heat it up to a dull red and let cool off. If it's small you can quench it in some oil, that will give it additional protection against rust. If it's large waxing it with floor wax or rust oleum will protect against rust. That's easier and cheaper than using gun blue (another option to get it black).
Another option is to paint it with old engine oil and then burn the oil off.
There are a lot of paints you can use. If you use them very diluted the metal doesn't look like it's just painted, it just gives it a tint of color and the metal still shows through. Or use transparent colors.
There are some chemicals which are used in bronze patinas which will react to some degree with steel as well, but as they tend to be toxic and you said easy, I'd stay away from them.

And you can google 'steel patina' for even more suggestions.

Answer 2

Patina Sheet Metal

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What is the easiest way to patina steel, such as sheet metal or plate without just rusting it?

Answer 4

Easiest way is leave it outside. You need to coat it with some agent if you think 'just' rust is to common. Highly diluted sulfuric acid will give a nice patina. You can even use a torch to speed things up.

check this:
http://www.sculptnouveau.com/patinainfo.html

Answer 5

Can you paint a greenish patina look on Bonderized sheet metal and if so how long would it last

Answer 6

try spraying it with water froma spray bottle. this leave a nice orange sheen. but what exactly do you mean petina vs "just rust"? petina is usually applied to copper based alloys, never steel. Steel "just rusts" wether you like it or not.