I used muriatic acid to rust the screws. Once I got them to rust the way I wanted them, I coated them with an acrylic finish to prevent further rusting.
I tested them, and they are still strong enough to hold things together, the acid did not compromise their integrity.
I’ve abandoned the practice of poking holes in the metal with an awl. I’ve found it’s much faster to drill the holes.
Muriatic acid, I’ve found, is much like the Wu Tang Clan — it ain’t nothin’ to mess with.
