How do I remove paint from a metal cart?

Helen Virgone
by Helen Virgone

I have a metal framed cart with many coats of paint on it as well as rust coming through the cracked paint. What’s the best Way to remove it all and get to the metal? Is there a way to prime or paint it to prevent the rusting? It’s has lots of scrolling and twists in its design. Thanks

  3 answers
  • Laura Cooper Laura Cooper on May 24, 2019

    Helen, I think you will do best with a gel stripper. You can get it into the details and it will cling as it works. Once stripped, you can use a rust converter to stabilize remaining rust. Be sure that there's no loose rust before converting. There are several products available, both brush and spray application, for converting. It is usually tannic acid and a few other ingredients that neutralize the corrosion process. This leaves a pleasant rustic finish, or paint afterwards.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on May 24, 2019

    Start with a scraper and remove anything that is loose. Then strip. Highly recommend RustOleum paint for metal.

  • Sharon Sharon on May 25, 2019

    I use the old fashioned Kleen Strip paint remover and steel wool to clean it all off, for detailing I would use the fine brass brushes that look about the size of a toothbrush to get into the detailing. Rustoleum makes a Rust Dissolver if there is a lot of rust. Then use Rustoleum metal paint on it.