Painting anti rust baked steel

Question

I have acquired an old 'baked' steel tool cupboard. I wish to paint it up to be a garden small tool shed. Should I just wire brush it & then paint it with black, anti-rust paint? Would I then be able to stencil/paint some flowers on it with acrylic paint? Photo shows it laying down but with the stand upright. Thanks in advance for any help.

Snapoutofit · Answer

Looks like a lot of work to paint the whole thing. Why not just clean it up and stencil something over the old paint? I think it would look really cool.

MN Mom · Answer

If you're looking for a fresh look, then yes, clean it up and paint it with a rust proof paint. I like @Snapoutofit 's idea too but it sounds more like you're wanting a fresh 'canvas' for your stencil

Janice James · Answer

If you use a primer paint first before you paint it the only part you need to sand are the corroded spots to smooth them out. If you want to stencil it with acrylic over enamel put a clear coat for exterior use outdoors. Good luck , would like to see what you do with it .

Valerie · Answer

I am very envious - it has so much potential! I have attached a link to a post where an old bench was restored. It has some very helpful hints about working with old steel, I hope it helps: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/benches/outdoor-bench-makeover-9477983

Hope Williams · Answer

Hi Chrisdee.  Yes, you do need to wire brush as much of the rust off as possible.  Then prime it several coats to prevent further corrosion.  You'll need an oil based primer for sure.  (Beware fumes!)  then paint to your hearts content.  Be sure to seal it very well with an outdoor clear coat as well.  It will be quite a bit of work but well worth it in the end!

Check out www.soundpaintingsolutions.com
Before starting your project.  Great info on painting metals, all types.
Good luck!!😃

Chrisdee · Answer

The answers were very helpful & reinforced the way to restore this cabinet. Thanks all

Pauliegirl1 · Answer

Hi....I have a friend that restores old Ford Mustangs...I got an old two seat glider that had a LOT of rust!! He cleans all of his parts with E VAPO RUST...it takes ALL the rust off, down to the metal!! Works fast and is a GREAT product. I used it on my glider, although I need to buy more to get that project finished!! You get it at an automotive store, and IT can GET expensive, but if you want it to LAST and LAST, thats your best bet!! From that point I would PRIME and then PAINT your color of choice!! Good Luck, and be sure to post!!

LD · Answer

I would recommend taking a steel brush to remove the rust and any lose finish, followed by a light sanding, and then use a tack cloth to remove dust after sanding. Rustoleum paint comes a ray of colors in spray and can form. Since this is going to be exposed to the elements, it would be best to use Rustolem for app applications.

Cj Avery · Answer

You can use wire brush but you might add marks to the metal: sand it, prime it ( there are many just look for outdoor kind), paint it ( use paint for metal),acrylic paint or hobby paint is not  waterproof you will have to use a sealer unless they now carry outdoor paint. Or....you can call a auto body shop to see how much for them to prep and paint it....the finish will be high grade even nice enough to put in house, most even may have left over paint to pick from. Never know till you ask.

Jim Saurman · Answer

I usually use a wirebrush in a drill, then a wirebrush by hand to get the parts the drill couldn't. Sandpaper for anything those two miss. (Bondo with lots of sanding if there are any holes you need to fill)
Then hit it with naval jelly rust remover. Wash that off, let it dry, then put on primer paint. I usually do it with a spray can. Once you have a nice coat of primer on it, then get some oil based enamel that is listed as being rust preventative and exterior, and I guarantee it will last 10 years before you have to fool with it again. It takes a bit of time to do it right, but it's much less hassle in the long run.

DORLIS · Answer

Depends where you put it. I am surrounded by woods, so I would do the anti rust paint and then paint it brown to loo like a tree trunk. It woudl look like a tre growing next to the garage and sort of disappear.

Duv310660 · Answer

The Rustoleum paint product adheres and paints up beautifully - I hate using spraypaint, so I always tell people you can get a perfect finish with just a chip brush (esp. easy if you lay your project so that you paint parallel to the ground). The chemical that cleans off rust sounds great for getting a smooth surface, but any 'scuffing up' of the surface that you can do via wire brushes, etc., will only increase the adherence/weathering power and is to your advantage when preparing an item for the outdoors.

As far as stenciling or other decorative treatment goes, you are going to have to stay with a similar oil-based paint to do this (double-check labels and for knowledgable advice) - acrylics or other water base paints will not stay on, even if you top coat them. THAT'S OK, THO... what you can do next is great fun (despite what I said about it earlier):

Get yourself 2 or 3 complementary colours of spray paint, and cut shapes out from post-its or paper with minimal amount of rolled tape to hold it on, or (best of all) actual leaves/flowers, etc. from your garden. Use the spray paint like an air brush, sometimes getting a crisp, defined edge and sometimes getting a diffuse, 'airy' edge (especially where the leaves or shapes are not tacked 'hard' against the project surface) - this gives a very 3 dimensional look with partial shapes being clearly painted and partial shapes 'wisping out of focus', like a crude photographic effect. Do small groupings at a time, unstick and shift elsewhere, spraying again, layering foreground colours onto background colours, using checkerboards/polkadots/whatever as a less natural 'grid' layer as you see fit.

Or use a 'splatter' of canned paint to roughen and embellish your piece.

In this manner, you could turn your storage into a hedge, a tree, or with a little ingenuity (like getting a helper to hold the long stem of a plastic lily or sunflower against the surface here and there) an extension of your flower bed. Or a piece of urban modernism.

The choice - and the fun - are yours!

Ham3273709 · Answer

Have tried CLR..'?

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