Project Rust - how to make rust paper

Rust Paper

I was wondering how to make rust paper.  It sounded like something that I needed to know how to do.  Its actually quite easy - here's how
 

Metal objects that rust placed on water color paper
 

Supplies:

1. Items that will rust - various shapes or one consistent shape like a washer
2. Watercolor paper - I used Arches 90lb hot press because I wanted smooth paper
3. A spray bottle
4. White vinegar
5. Bleach

First off you want to do this in a well ventilated area or outside.  I chose to be inside the garage but I did have the doors open while I was working on this project.   Wear gloves - bleach is kinda harsh stuff.  I gathered up a bunch of miscellaneous items that rust.  Most of them were already rusty so they were easy to identify.  Try to pick items that have a lot of surface that touches the paper.  Some of the things in the photo above didn't have good surface to paper contact.

I laid a protective substrate on my garage floor.  I used plywood but cardboard would work to.  In the spray bottle mix 1 part bleach and 1 part vinegar and start spraying.  I wet things down really well and flipped them over so the wet side was touching the paper.  Once everything was sprayed, I covered the surface with an old sheet.  You can also use a second piece of paper.  Then leave it overnight.  The next day you should have rust paper.  On the second day I re wet everything with the spray bottle mixture and moved the items around a bit to get more even rusting across the paper.  I left it for another night.  I was happy with the results over the two days and stopped at that point.  Now I have a sheet of really beautiful rusted paper that I can use in my art projects.