Question About Dulling Metal

[Keelan562]

Hey all!

So, I've started working on a Witcher themed costume, and I'm making the chainmail portions myself.

I started with some fence wire (galvanized aluminum, 16g) and it was looking great! A friend of mine who's been wanting to learn to do chainmail decided to help me, and she ordered a bunch of jump rings for us to use so that I didn't have to keep using the wire/dowel/drill to make my own rings.

The problem is, the rings she has are FAR shinier than what I started out with. I didn't make a huge amount of progress with my own links, so we opted to use her's instead and are getting ready to start piecing things together so they resemble a shirt.

My question is: How would I dull the shiny/polished-looking metal so that it looks more aged?

Would a simple light dusting of silver/gray spray paint get the job done, or is there something I'd need to coat the finished piece with?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, everyone!

 

[Sundowner]

I have used oven cleaner spray and also I've dishwasher on top rack on hot

 

[cckaiser2]

Rub steel wool over them to dull the shine a bit.


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[Dracosfire83]

Loose rings I'd toss in a tumbler and a finished shirt I toss in the grill on a bed of hot coals for about an hour then a quick wash (after cooling ) in a bucket of soapy water then wire brushed until desired finish is achieved then spray with clear sealer to maintain look and prevent rust.

 

[Keelan562]

Thanks so much, you guys!

Got a good patch already together, but I'm going to take some of the still individual rings and do a couple of what you've suggested. If that works, I'll do that to the rest of them, then move on to taking care of the patch.

 

[Naveed2331]

I ran my polished aluminum coif through the dishwasher once. It came out quite dull

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