| Home-Repair Quick Tip: Painting Rusty Surfaces |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-403 |
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Painting rusted metal surfaces used to be a tough job and a relatively futile endeavor. It's become easier and more effective thanks to modern paints. Here are some suggestions for painting rusty metal surfaces: - Use a wire brush to remove any loose paint and rust from the surface you'll be painting.
- Before painting, pre-treat the surface with primer. This will help prevent more rust from forming.
- Once the primer has dried, follow up with your paint.
- There are specialized spray-paints that are formulated to spray right over rusty metal. These paints stick to the metal and neutralize the rust so it doesn't corrode the metal any further.
Another Rust-Tip: Rust on outdoor fixtures like hinges and latches -- such as on a gate -- can cause the moving parts to lock up. Prevent that by using a heavy lubricant. Avoid using light, spray-on lubricant for outdoor fixtures, since it will simply evaporate. Use heavy grease (available at auto-parts stores) to hold up better in the elements.
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