How do I paint metal hanging baskets?

Hello Connie! i would use a wire brush to brush off all the rust and then dust the baskets off with a old paintbrush or use a vacuum cleaner nozzle. You can buy Rustoleum spray paint in many colors and that would work to spray your wire baskets.

I would wipe them off with a warm damp cloth then spray paint them with Rustoleum which is great to cover small cosmetic rust. You can get the cans at Walmart under $4 and one can should do you several seasons should you need to spray them each year. We do ours every year or two if we are too distracted or busy. It is simple and easy if you do it outside on a piece of cardboard or newspapers.

Sand with fine grit sandpaper or wire brush making sure to remove rust. Wipe down and paint. Either prime or get a paint & primer in one. RustOleum spray paint would be my recommendation because you can get it with a rust inhibitor.

Remove the rust. Spray with Rustoluem 2X paint for metal.

I agree with the above answers about getting rid of much of the rust you can first by sanding or brushing it off. I also wanted to add that Rustoleum sells "Rust Reformer" that once you spray it on, it turns the remaining rust into a paintable surface.

LocTite makes a product call Extend. It can be sprayed or brushed on. It will chemically change the rust to a paintable surface but you have to use oil based paint or primer to seal it.