Decorating houses with the rustic look has become increasingly popular. If you have purchased some galvanized metal pieces that you want to use in your home that simply do not have the rustic look you want, you can easily take away some of their shine and luster with white vinegar. The following guide walks you through the process of making any piece of galvanized metal look as though it has been around for generations.
Prepare Your Workspace
The first thing you need to do is prepare your workspace. You want to be sure to lay down a tarp to protect your floor from any runoff once the item is soaked in the vinegar. A tarp is designed to be waterproof and will keep the liquid from seeping into your flooring.
Prepare the Item
Next, you need to thoroughly clean the item. Be sure to remove any stickers or labels before you apply the vinegar. If you do not remove any stickers or labels, there will be obvious discoloration in the areas under the labels because they will not have been exposed to the vinegar the same way that the rest of the item has been.
Determine How You Want to Apply the Vinegar
You need to decide how you want to apply the vinegar to the item. Small items can simply be dipped in a bucket containing the vinegar. Larger items will need to be wiped down with vinegar or sprayed with it to create the rustic look you want. It is important to avoid spraying the vinegar when working indoors as it could spread into your furniture or carpeting and will create an odor that may not be overly pleasing.
Apply the Vinegar
Spray, dip, or wipe the vinegar onto the item. Be sure to apply the vinegar evenly so that the item has equal wear on all sides. Wipe down the item with a clean, dry rag to remove any excess vinegar. Wait a few minutes to see how the item looks, and if you feel that it does not look worn enough, you can repeat the vinegar application until the desired look is reached.
Once the item looks aged, wipe it down with a rag that has been dipped in water. Place the item outside in the sun to dry. Drying it outside will take away the smell of the vinegar and help it to dry more quickly than it would indoors.
For more information, contact local professionals like Rogers Brothers Galvanizing.
