Looking for suggestions

Hi all
I'm a student in graphic design and animation and I'm new to Maya. However, I want to make my finel project using Maya. It is a short animation dealing with a comic iron environment where anything is made from iron junks. if any of you can light my way in questions like in which method should I work or where to find good iron and rust textures or anything else I'd be gratefull.

there are some good maya shaders here. go to Maya > shaders and don't forget to check www.rustboy.com which is an animation project with a concept similar to yours...ahem.. and where's the picture to criticize?