I have numerous railroad parts, like spike plates, spikes, some bolts, and other parts i dont know what they are. but theyre rusty and dirty. i was wondering how to wash these yet still keep the weathered look.
Just wash them in hot water and dish soap and use a nylon bristle scrub brush. If they are exceptionally old and are like historical artifacts, the rust layer will be very stable. Once they are washed, that rust patina will look good.
Don’t power wire brush them or sandblast them. When people find old artifacts, they are often inclined to shine them up and make them like new again. That kills the character of antiquity. It sounds like you know that. Very old wroght iron parts have a lot of character in their surface erosion, and rust patina once they are washed off.