The table base has now sat outside for a couple of days and the rust patina has evened out a lot. The dark blotches are now gone. It looks like we dragged it up from the bottom of the sea after being submerged for many years - just as we planned.
The surface is mottled and a little textured. The barnacles look like they belong. I'll be painting the starfish yet but will wait a few more days for everything to cure properly.
While the rust is forming on this piece we've been busy in the shop on other pieces for this project. Stay tuned...
-dan