I just received Roman's MK1 weathered kit - it's great, I love it, but the grenade section is basically solid black. Can anyone recommend a way I could get it to that rusty color like the movie saber?
Weathering a Roman's MK1 Grenade?
- Thread starter Hecubus114
- Start date
Darth Lars
Master Member
I suppose that you don't want to use paint.
I have used Mayco Magic Metallics oxidiser for another type of project. Brush on an "oxidiser" to make it rust. Then brush on a "sealer" to neutralise the oxidiser and to clearcoat the surface.
The product range also contains paints with metal powder but you won't need that if your grenade is steel to begin with.
You could also make your own rusting solution at home. (I found the recipe online, but I forget where. I usually wing it ...)
Dissolve as much table salt as possible in hot water, add a little white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. That will make steel rust really fast but it will also pit the surface somewhat. A solution of baking soda and water should neutralise it.
I used this to hot-blue my steel grenade to a black finish like a really old gun. Rust, boil in water, brush off excess: repeated up to seven times, each time making it darker than before. This is similar to what gunsmiths do to blue steel, but faster and more crude — and I wanted some pitting. Then I oiled it.
I have used Mayco Magic Metallics oxidiser for another type of project. Brush on an "oxidiser" to make it rust. Then brush on a "sealer" to neutralise the oxidiser and to clearcoat the surface.
The product range also contains paints with metal powder but you won't need that if your grenade is steel to begin with.
You could also make your own rusting solution at home. (I found the recipe online, but I forget where. I usually wing it ...)
Dissolve as much table salt as possible in hot water, add a little white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. That will make steel rust really fast but it will also pit the surface somewhat. A solution of baking soda and water should neutralise it.
I used this to hot-blue my steel grenade to a black finish like a really old gun. Rust, boil in water, brush off excess: repeated up to seven times, each time making it darker than before. This is similar to what gunsmiths do to blue steel, but faster and more crude — and I wanted some pitting. Then I oiled it.
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You can “knock back” the finish on an all black grenade by using a fine wire brush or dremel wire wheel (wear safety glasses and vacuum afterward. Those bristles fly off like crazy). Then rust and re-blue to your liking using the method above from scottjua. Another thing I have done is get a nice rust layer where I want it and then apply blue over it with rust still in place. You get a nice brown instead of bright orange.
i havent done this yet, but i believe the romans grenade is anodized. if so, oven clean will strip that right off, i have yet to try it. i have also been told by a gun smith to try white vinegar, hes had luck with letting it sit over night and stripping different anodizes off.
Ridire Firean
Sr Member
Hey Hecubus114 ! You could always do what parfaitelumiere recommends... just bury it for a month. 
I'd seal up the threads and inside of the grenade REALLY WELL though before doing so! That's one area you don't want to go bad in the least.
Good Luck on your re-weathering whichever route you choose!
I'd seal up the threads and inside of the grenade REALLY WELL though before doing so! That's one area you don't want to go bad in the least.
Good Luck on your re-weathering whichever route you choose!
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I stumbled across this video.
It may help you...
It may help you...
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DrkSideTndncies
Well-Known Member
I’ve done 2 grenades the following way and it takes a few days and soakings for me here in CO (it’s very dry here so may take longer or not work for more humid locations) and turns out perfect for my tastes.
I simply light sand then wire brush it and then wrap it in a very wet/saturated paper towel and let dry overnight sitting in plastic cup, unwrap and wipe/brush a little of the rust layer off before redoing it multiple times. Problem I found is that it has a coating on it that needs to “rust” off or else it looks blotchy, hence why it takes multiple reps for this method to work for me.
I simply light sand then wire brush it and then wrap it in a very wet/saturated paper towel and let dry overnight sitting in plastic cup, unwrap and wipe/brush a little of the rust layer off before redoing it multiple times. Problem I found is that it has a coating on it that needs to “rust” off or else it looks blotchy, hence why it takes multiple reps for this method to work for me.
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newmagrathea
Sr Member
I think I would use some fine steel wool or a wire brush to lightly take down the blueing and put some salt water on it. I'd probably use steel wool again to wipe off any excess rust I don't want and then use barricade or try that soaking in old motor oil trick.
Tatooine_Todd
Sr Member
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