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How To Rust Modern Armour Plating

How to make modern armour plating

I decided to write this article to show everybody how to achieve that rusty armour plating seen on some of those heavy modern equipment pieces like the M1074 transports seen in Iraq. With the insurgency that has been occurring in Iraq, US military personnel were forced to protect themselves using methods deemed necessary to avoid being easy targets for surprise road attacks on their vehicles. I’m sure there are many ways to get the results we’re working to achieve here but this is just one of them.

Things I used to get the job done

1. Any old pair of scissors
2. Apple cider vinegar (you can get this at any food chain store. I think Bragg sells this under their brand name – Bragg is a US brand, I think.)
3. 1 to 3 mm thick, non rust-free metal plate (remember the thicker the plate the more difficult it will be to cut with a normal scissors).
4. A sharp blade or knife (only if needed).
5. A small bowl that will fit the pieces needed for the required project. 6. A spray bottle with water.

I’m sure there are many ways of achieving this effect but this is my own. Others may have a much easier or better method but like everything else, it’s up to the individual modeller to find, what works best for them. I will now try and take you through a couple of short easy steps using my methods.

Step one

The first thing to do is to decide on the design of the armor plating by making a sketch of it on a piece of paper. When done, cut it out according to the scale you want it to be.

Step two

Now take the sheet of metal and cut out a piece that you will need for the required project. Take the pattern that you have made and place it on the sheet of metal. Now using one hand to hold the pattern and the metal plate take a pair of scissors and cut the metal according to the paper pattern you had just made. When done, the results should be similar to the paper pattern you made.

Step three

When you are satisfied with your design pattern, then you are ready to age your armor plating. Pour a reasonable amount of apple cider vinegar in a bowl, so that when you put the metal in it, it will submerge covering the entire surface of the metal. Now leave the metal piece submerged in the apple cider vinegar for about 30 minutes .