Will It Rust? Muriatic Acid Forced Patina

In today’s video I’m going to use muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) to force a patina. I had a lot left over from another project that I did, which was removing galvanization from steel ( • How To Remove Galvaniz... ). I am using a 2 parts water to 1 part muriatic acid solution. Before I put the metal in, I prepare a neutralization bath of washing soda. I made sure the knife was cleaned off completely beforehand.
The solution did not work as fast as I expected and ended up leaving some streaks and light spots. I believe this was due to the bubbles that formed on the steel when in the solution. It does give an interesting pattern though, which may be desired by some people.
Next in the series: ??? Leave a suggestion in the comments
Series Description:
For those who don't know, a patina is a form of rust that protects steel from more damaging forms of rust, like pitting. It is good practice to form a small layer of rust on your high carbon steel tools for this reason.
Since there are so many ways to force a patina, this series will show different ways to achieve this and see which is the fastest, most efficient method. I will demonstrate how to force a patina using common household materials. I will show what can replace commonly used acids, such as ferric chloride, and show what shouldn't even be considered.
A great solution should result in an even, dark patina in a relatively short amount of time (ideally 20 minutes to an hour). I will document the process so that if anyone would like to repeat a method, they can easily refer back to my videos.
So will it rust?
Interested in Camping / Survival Hacks? goo.gl/NBaM7h
Knife Making: goo.gl/bvDcaa
Will It Rust? goo.gl/J7vPz4
Please like, comment, and share if you enjoyed the video.
Sharp Works

[@custommaid3832]

Sorry Sharp Works - NEVER add water to acid, ALWAYS add acid to water. Reason being is the heat produced when doing so. The first application of water to acid does not have enough water volume to absorb the heat. The water may boil, acid can splatter, or even explode up out of the vessel. Adding acid to water has the advantage of a smaller heat reaction, and lots of water (in comparison) to absorb that heat, preventing boiling, splatter or worse.

[@SharpWorks]

I believe I did add the acid to water. That’s why I poured it so slowly. It’s hard to tell in the video because they are both clear.

[@KevinNguyen-zn4vv]

You need to clean the metal with degreaser/soap and acetone first.

[@bergknivesandsharpening8014]

am going to try this to prevent rust. apparently i learned the hard way cold blue will cause orange rust not prevent it unless you use this first. did you try to blue a blade after to even out the color? i wanna try some basic water rust prevention tests for hunting knives.

[@BasaysayTv]

Will it work on stainless steel

[@SharpWorks]

Not really. It would be barely noticeable on stainless steel

[@BasaysayTv]

@@SharpWorks so what acid can affect on stainless?

[@SharpWorks]

@@BasaysayTv Stainless is made with alloys to avoid corrosion and rusting. I don't know of any solution that will darken stainless steel. The method I show in the video is for carbon steel.

[@JoeyAtilano]

I love these test videos of different patinas.

[@SharpWorks]

Thank you! I’m actually making a new knife that I’ll use for future tests since the one that I’m currently using is getting pretty thin from all the sanding.

[@thefamily_ak1863]

if you add steel wool 2 muratic acid , it will make ferric chloride which really makes an awesome patina on blades ,

[@SharpWorks]

I didn’t know that, I’ll have to give it a try thanks for the suggestion!

[@lsubslimed]

You can also buy a bottle of ferric chloride at Radio shack, it's sold as PCB etchant. 3:1 or 4:1 distilled water to FC are the typical ratios used when etching damascus and even for an acid stonewash, although a much weaker solution is better if using it to etch a hamon and while multiple light etches with polishing between. Also, always add acid to water, I noticed you added all that water into the muriatic acid in the vid which can be dangerous. It just good practice, even if it's not really a big deal with an acid such as FC, I'd be more cautious though around the muriatic acid since it can burn skin faster. Keep safe!

[@SharpWorks]

lsubslimed thanks for the information! I will keep that in mind.

[@stilusbeast9643]

how to make oslorust

[@cityslicker544]

So did it rust? I’m having that issue with my blades after I etch them. They almost immediately want to rust

[@SharpWorks]

Yes it does rust but if you wash it off in a baking soda bath and oil immediately after, then you shouldn’t have any problem with rust

[@ICY0806]

I have a question. Can a muriatic remove an anodize color?

[@SharpWorks]

I believe it will.

[@GrozOutTV]

Can i do this to my towbar?

[@SharpWorks]

You can do this to any carbon steel as long as it is not painted or has any other coating. Stainless steel is hard to rust and doesn’t patina well.

[@cast4597]

hi, what blade steel is that?

[@SharpWorks]

1095 high carbon steel

[@jobayotas]

Will this affect the integrity of the blade?

[@SharpWorks]

It shouldn’t.