Stealthing out galvanized duct

[Old Yeller]

Well, here I am getting ready to put up some 4" & 6" galvanized exhaust ducting next to my 12 y.o. existing furnace duct work & it sticks out like a sore thumb - all new, bright & shiny.
Anybody know of a way to "antique" it to blend in with the old ducting? Tried some grey primer spray paint sort of misted on, but it still looks new. Maybe something caustic to oxydize it - ammonia?
Last summer I spilled some old Muratic Acid on a shelf in the garage that I lock my bike to & boy, did the fumes rust & corrode it fast! Just wanted to check with you guys first - haven't seen any threads on antiquing duct work yet.

 

[gramsci.antonio]

I use hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with my metal miniature.

Cheap and effective.

 

[Guest]

It is a non issue unless your furnace closet is in a public area and guilt of new duct work consumes your every waking moment. Paint doesn't stick to galvanized well unless you "pickle" or clean the oil off of it.

TyStik

 

[Ganja Guerilla]

Look for a Restore location and buy reclaimed duct and save a few bucks... probably a lot of bucks. Restore is part of Habitat For Humanity and sells reclaimed and donated building materials in case you haven't heard of them.

 

[Daemon]

^^Excellent advice! I have been going to Restore for other things for a while now and I just went and picked up a bunch of ducting and some nice 4' fluorescents for CMEMORY!! And, the ducting looks nice and weathered - it would be perfect for you.

 

[Old Yeller]

It's a big issue for me if my landlady noses around & spots brand new duct work that she didn't pay for. I know it's something I'd probably notice in somebody else's house, but it's cause i'm aware of it as a plant guy.
Tried hydrogen peroxide after cleaning with alcohol - nuttin' honey!
Just found the local restore (thanks) & will pay them a visit.
Still - I'd prefer to use new duct if possible - i'll try some stinky muratic acid & post the results. How come nobody has suggested buying a 55gal drum of Tarnex & polishing the 2,000 feet of duct & return lines to match?

 

[vaprpig]

You could insulate the ducting and then paint/camouflage that in some fashion.?

 

[Old Yeller]

Now, that's a good idea.
I suppose too that wrapping all the shiny stuff with plain old duct tape might make it a little less suspicious looking.

 

[ARTofMAKINGfire]

If I personally saw a hard duct line wraped in duct tape I would think to myself, why the fuck someone took so much time to do that...
Are you worried someone will be snooping around by your boiler/furnace??

EDIT: Just read above.
If you are that worried about your landlord checking out the property or even snooping around, you should really weigh it in your choice of whether or not your location is safe enough... I would'nt worry about one new piece of duct work, I would worry about talking to your landlord and kindly explaining to her that you pay rent and she cannot come inside your home without consent (depending on your state laws) and/or at least 24 hour notice, unless it is an emergency. Tell her you value your privacy and it is your right to have it. Nicely. Good luck...on whatever you do.

 

[Old Yeller]

It's sorta complicated cause my "landlady" is my roomate/semi-ex-girlfriend. My art studio & workshop are in the basement (manspace) & I've been growing house plants, tomatoes, peppers, orchids etc for a few years on this Sam's Club Gorilla rack system I bolted together. Since I have a decent outside garden & have been into landscaping/gardening for years, having pots, dirt, nutes & lights around is normal. She is an alcoholic & would show you her underware & give you her pin # after 3 drinks, so I'm building this stealth grow room under the stairs that she has no idea about. The trouble is I have to run the exhaust venting right over the washer/dryer area where she might notice shiny new ducting & start poking around. Now she doesn't mind that I smoke but her (drinking) big mouth might blow the whole deal if she finds out. I just want to give her no reason to start looking.
By the way, I'm putting together a photo grow journel because I haven't seen much on stairwell designs & their triangular problems.