How to rust nails the easiest?

Question

I mean the building, iron/steel nails. Someone I know asked me, because she needed it for school (did not explain why, lol). So, whats the quickest way to rust without expensive gizmo's like..rust machines or something. And, what type of nails? Can't be too expensive, because I don't wanna use all my money on her o_0

Answer 1

Run a handful of nails under the faucet to get them nice and wet.  Now place them in a shallow dish and set them somewhere they will get plenty of air.  When they dry out, wet them again, or pour a little water in the bottom of the dish.  Don't submerge the nails, just make sure they stay fairly wet and after a few days they will be totally covered in rust.  

Answer 2

Heh - asking how to MAKE nails rust reminds me of that classic "Star Trek" episode, "The Doomsday Machine":

Kirk: Scotty, can you rig the ship to explode?

Scott: Ach! In the shape the thing's in, it's hard to KEEP it from blowin'!

Answer 3

Place them in a glass of Coca-cola. Coke is acidic and will begin to rust the nails very quickly.

Answer 4

any cheap steel nail soaked in salt water-rust them the fastest-make sure they are not resin coated or galvanized or aluminum nails

Answer 5

Wrap them in a damp paper towel.  Leave them in there and they will begin to rust very quickly.  Good luck.

Answer 6

Get two insulated wires and a nine volt battery, strip both ends of the wire, attach the wires to the battery terminals, take the wire that is attached to the positive terminal wrap in around your nails.  Place them all in a glass of water without letting the positive and negative wires touch.  You will notice a lot of bubbles if you are doing it right.  Wait 30 or 40 minutes.  The bubbles coming off of the wire attached to the positive terminal are oxygen, the bubbles coming off the negative terminal are hydrogen, you are separating the different parts of the water molecule.  The extra oxygen around the nails will cause them to oxidise (rust) quickly, after you are done let the nails air dry.  If you need them to be rustier repeat the process.