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How Hydrogen Peroxide Can Beautifully Age Your Metal Hardware
By JACQUELINE DELIBES
To age your metal hardware, you’ll need fine-grit sandpaper, a plastic container, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, salt, clear acrylic spray sealer, and spray bottles.
Sand your item to remove any coatings that’ll prevent the vinegar's rusting action, then pop the metal into your bin, and liberally spritz it with vinegar.
Let it rust for five minutes or until dry. Mix 4 tablespoons of vinegar, 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt into the other bottle.
Once the salt dissolves, spray strategic areas or coat the entire item. The peroxide will foam up, and you can redo this process before sealing to create a richer patina.
Coat the now-dry hardware with your acrylic sealer. The seal will prevent the metal from discoloring whatever it comes into contact with, but won't disrupt the patina you created.