Rusted metal can be painted and restored to its original look.
You do not need to scrap rusted metal furniture and equipment. They can be painted and restored to look like new, using recommended techniques, materials and tools. Even a do-it-yourselfer with little or no experience can refinish a rusted household treasure in 8 to 12 hours, depending on the size and scope of the project .
Surface preparation
Blast the surface with a portable blaster. For a big job, a blaster will help you complete it quickly and thoroughly. A portable blaster is no larger than a 5-gallon bucket and can be connected to a portable air compressor.
If you must sand the surface of the rusted metal, then use 60- and 80-grit papers and an orbital air sander. Sand the surface down to bare metal, paying special attention to the small areas that are hard to reach. Wear protective eye and mouth coverings when blasting or sanding metal.
Metal Cleaning
Wipe down the sanded or blasted metal with acetone. Acetone dries quickly and will not leave an oily residue. Use a cotton rag to wipe on the acetone, but work quickly because acetone evaporates rapidly. Remove dust, debris and oil spots that remain on the metal. Be sure to work in a well-ventilated space as acetone is not safe to breathe.
Priming
Prime the surface with metal primer immediately after sanding or blasting. Because of moisture in the air, bare metal will develop flash rust -- surface rust spots -- if the metal is allowed to sit. Spray on three coats of primer, allowing 30 minutes drying time between coats. Lightly sand between coats with 120-grit sand paper to remove surface imperfections.
Painting
Apply three or more coats of enamel paint to the metal. Working in a well-ventilated area, spray on the paint with an electric sprayer or spray can. Hold the nozzle 8 to 12 inches away from the metal surface, spraying at the surface rather than across it. Allow the paint to dry for one hour between coats. Touch the paint after one hour to test whether it is dry. Lightly hand rub the painted surface between coats with 320-grit sand paper.
Clear Coat
Apply clear coat over the dried paint. Allow the paint to set for two hours prior to applying clear coat. Spray on two coats of clear coat, following the painting directions noted. Lightly rub the first clear coat with 320-grit sand paper to remove voids or surface imperfections.
Related posts
Rust leads to metal pitting.When left unchecked, rust will form on the surface of unprotected ferrous metals. Overtime, rust will eat through the metal and create pits. Pitting not only ruins a ne...
Vinyl shakes are similar to cedar shakes, with one exception: they are vinyl. Although cedar shakes can be painted quite easily, vinyl must receive some preparation prior to painting. Nonetheless,...
Candy paints are three-stage paints.Candy paint jobs, unlike standard or metallics, require a mid-coat to be applied over a base coat on the vehicle. With careful preparation, the process is quite...
Painting your own car may seem like a daunting task, but it is certainly possible if you follow all the steps in the correct order. Several factors -- preparation, compressor pressure and temperat...
Metal lockers are storage devices that can last a lifetime.Metal lockers are versatile and hard-wearing pieces of storage equipment that can be used for many years in schools, workplaces and other...
