Post #590390 by Bruddah Bear on Mon, May 23, 2011 6:24 PM

Are the panels galvanized? If so, that coating will have to be removed or at least have it's surface broken to get to the iron underneath. The iron is the element in the steel that's going to oxidize (rust). They will naturally rust eventually, but I take it you don't want to wait that long to get the look you want, so kick-starting the surface oxidation process is what you want to do. I don't think you have to go the muriatic acid and copper route. Caustic and toxic are bad bedfellows, and may eat further into the steel than you ultimately want it to. You want surface oxidation not structural corrosion. A mild acid that's kinder and gentler to yourself and the environment may give you what you want, albeit a bit slower than the muriatic acid and copper, just don't do it on your lawn or let the runoff go into your planted areas.

If it were me, I would use salt, vinegar, and water. Lightly abrade the surface (heavier if galvanized) with a paste mixture of salt and a little water using a scrub brush (or lay the panels on the ground and use a push-broom), then rinse with water (careful of the runoff, salt kills flora). I would then dissolve some salt in some vinegar (adding some water is an option) making a mild acid, then spray or lightly brush it on the panels and let them sit out for a few days. They won't show tons of rust immediately, but they should surface rust more quickly than normal.

Or you could always dunk them in the ocean.

Good luck to you.

Bear

[ Edited by: Brudda Bear 2011-05-23 18:26 ]