How do you paint an old enamelware colander to make it food safe?

Anna Shimell
by Anna Shimell

I bought an old enamelware colender from goodwill it was a great find! But the only problem is that it has some rust spots around the screws where the handles are ...I want to fix it so theres no more rust spots ...what paint could I use to make it food safe and so I can wash it with out paint coming off ! Please help me!

  4 answers
  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Dec 04, 2018

    Just clean it up, remove rust. Get small stiff brush and use some ZUD,Comet cleanser,Bar Keepers Friend,Iron Out any of these and scrub it. you can also replace the screws/bolts if you want.If you can't easily remove them use Liquid Wrench, spray them let it sit on screws/bolts then remove,take old ones to hardware store, show them what size and tell them you want stainless steel replacements so they do not rust again.

  • Pamela Pamela on Dec 04, 2018

    I would try some powdered Barkeepers Friend on the rust first-it may reduce the rust to something you can tolerate.

    If you Google "how to fix enamelware" you will see many articles.

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Dec 04, 2018

    After cleaning you can touch up with Appliance touch up paint. Several coats

  • Landsharkinnc Landsharkinnc on Dec 06, 2018

    personally, I wouldn't worry about 'food safe' --- a colander isn't in contact with food for any length of time ... just clean well and enjoy your find!