Asked on Feb 17, 2015

Rusted metal

Julie
by Julie
I was just given an outside, glass top, metal legged table. The legs are very rusted and have even started disintegrating. Can they be saved? The glass is perfect!
  11 answers
  • Carole Carole on Feb 17, 2015
    Clean them up and paint on a rust converter product. Ask at the hardware store. Make sure you get the product into every nook and cranny. It will seal the rust and prevent it getting any worse and then you can paint it with a rust primer and rust appropriate paint. In Australia we have Killrust steps 1, 2 and 3 and they do a rust converter product and we also have a brand called Feronite. It is very watery and you paint it on with a bristle brush, ensure you cover every bit and then it dries to a blue black colour and converts the rust to a paintable surface that won't rust further. If there are flakes of rust after you clean it that won't come off, the converter should assist in ensuring these flakes don't come off when you paint and ruin your paint job. Hope this helps.
  • Funnygirl Funnygirl on Feb 17, 2015
    You will definitely, need to fill the holes especially if you plan to put it back outside.I have herd of using bondo,I just took down a steel pergola because the rust from water and salty water destroyed it even though I scraped off the rust,primed it with metal primer and repainted with paint for metal,the last three years.I f you decide to keep it our doors during the winter seasons,I would wrap it in plastic until the weather is not so harsh.Make sure you use the right paint for metal.
  • Cra836385 Cra836385 on Feb 17, 2015
    I would just stop the rust from furthering-and leave it as is. No fill ins; as it now has character.
  • Carole Alden Carole Alden on Feb 17, 2015
    Rust Olean not sure about spelling, primer and paint. Ask about rubber floor things for legs. They sell them for chairs but might fit your legs.
  • Cindy Hagemann Cindy Hagemann on Feb 17, 2015
    Remove the glass, use some steel wool to sand the rust spots and then use Rust Olean spray paint primer (as listed above) and paint. I would not fill the holes - I would leave as is with the character of an outdoor table. Have fun with it and paint it a fun color too!
  • Kelly S Kelly S on Feb 18, 2015
    If you want to patch the hole you could use JB Weld. It's found in the automotive section of various stores. It's a 2-part epoxy type of solid filler like bondo.
    • Virginia R Virginia R on Feb 18, 2015
      @Kelly S J-B Weld is a terrific product also. I've used it on items that were "beyond repair" lol and it made them practically indestructible. Then paint with a Rust-o-leum paint. I like their spray pain for rusted metal.
  • Virginia R Virginia R on Feb 18, 2015
    To extend the life, I'd suggest filling the holes. If you want some character to it maybe rough the patched areas. Then definitely use a paint for metal. I love Rust-o-leum.
  • Julie Julie on Feb 18, 2015
    You all are great! Thanks for all the tips!
  • I have had metal pieces similar to that. I have taken it to a metal fabricating shop and had them put it in the fire to clean off any rust and old stuff. Then I have had them paint it with powder coat. They bake it on at a really high temperature. It lasts a really long time and it looks great. The white chair in the picture is an example of one thing I've had powder coated.
  • Oliver Teske Oliver Teske on Feb 19, 2015
    If something ever happens to the glass, try using it as a plant stand by removing the glass and putting a large pot in the rim
  • Bellazaar Bellazaar Bellazaar Bellazaar on Feb 19, 2015
    Rust-Oleum is a maker of protective paints and coatings for home and industry use. It was founded in 1921 by Robert Fergusson after he noticed that raw fish oil spilled on rusty metal decks stopped corrosion from spreading. Wikipedia