You’ve been staring at your iron gate and have an overwhelming urge to cover the rust that has been spreading for months. Rather than replace the entire structure, you ask yourself, “What paint should I use to cover rust?”
Painting over rust and reviving your valuable metal structures and objects can save you time and money. However, it’s crucial that you use the right paint to cover the rust to prevent it from spreading and damaging your metal even further.
Whether you’re tired of looking at a rusty eyesore or are enhancing your property’s curb appeal, learning how to paint over rust can be extremely beneficial.
VanDerKolk Painting is a West Michigan painting company that has been providing residential, commercial, and industrial painting services to home and business owners since 1991. Our experienced painting team has divulged their knowledge so that you’ll know the three types of paint to cover rust, how to apply it effectively, and the number one secret to perfectly paint over rust every time once you’re done reading this post.
What is the Best Paint to Paint Over Rust?
Adding a simple layer or two of a fresh coat of paint can instantly transform your metal structure, especially if it has some rust. Fortunately, there are paints that work especially well to cover rust.
Acrylic Latex Paint
Acrylic latex paint is best paired with a water-based latex iron oxide primer when painting over rust. It is easy to apply and one of the paints known to be less messy.
Amongst latex paints, acrylic is regarded as the best and highest quality of the bunch. It is best applied with a brush or roller.
Oil-Based Enamel Paint
Oil-based enamel paint is best paired with an oil-based primer. While it has a reputation for being messy or difficult to apply, its durability makes the extra effort worth it in the long run.
This enamel paint is often used for outdoor pieces and exteriors thanks to its strength and resistance to the elements. Its glossy shine is also a huge plus if you want to bring life back into your metal objects and structures.
Epoxy Paint
If you want to avoid oil-based paints, epoxy paint is the next best thing. Pairing it with a latex iron oxide primer when covering rust is recommended.
Epoxy paint is just as durable as oil-based enamel but has the ease of application of an acrylic latex paint.
Avoid using epoxy paint on oil-based iron oxide primers, as it will flake off shortly after drying.
How to Paint Over a Rusty Surface
If you want to effectively paint over a rusty surface and prevent the rust from affecting the rest of the metal, there are specific steps you must take.
Neutralize Rust Before Painting
The first step is to prep the surface and neutralize the rust you wish to cover with paint.
This process involves removing any flaking rust. You could use a metal wire brush or simply scrape away these loose pieces.
It’s important to thoroughly examine the piece of metal you wish to paint to ensure the rust hasn’t affected the metal’s integrity. If the rust has eaten away at the metal structure too much, it may not be worth painting over.
Apply a Primer
Arguably, the most critical step of painting to cover rust is priming the area with a durable and proper primer.
Adding a primer will improve the paint’s adhesion to the surface and prevent discoloration. Even on lightly rusted surfaces, you should use a primer.
Choosing the correct primer makes all the difference when painting to cover rust.
Extensive Rust - When dealing with extensive rust, opt for a water or oil-based rust converter metal primer. This will prevent the rust from expanding and cover it so you can easily paint over with a paint color of your choosing.
Lightly Rusted - When working on painting over a lightly rusted surface, choose a water or oil-based rust-preventative primer. Also referred to as a rust inhibitor primer, this strong primer prevents rust from forming because it includes zinc, which oxidizes itself and takes years to break down.
It’s important to remember that your paint type should coincide with the kind of primer you use. Never pair an oil-based primer with water-based paint or vice versa.
Paint Over the Rust
Now that you have prepped and primed your rusted metal surface, it’s time to paint over the surface and bring new life to the structure.
You can apply your chosen paint and color with a brush or a spray. We recommend adding at least two coats to ensure even coverage and an opaque color.
Will Rust Continue to Spread Under Paint?
In theory, when you paint over rust and use the correct primer, the rust will stop spreading along the metal’s surface.
However, if there is a scratch in the paint or there is rust located behind the metal or inside the structure, it can still spread.
For this reason, we recommend closely examining the object or structure and covering all or most of the surface, regardless if there is rust present. This will ensure rust does not spread and your metal object or structure lasts longer.
Let VanDerKolk Painting Paint Your Metal Surfaces
Painting over rust doesn’t have to be a mystery. While finding the right combination of primer and paint is crucial, there’s an easier way to revive your metal piece while avoiding any chance of mistakes.
VanDerKolk Painting is available for all of your painting needs! Our professional painters are trained in choosing the correct primer and paint for your situation. Their steady and careful hands guarantee a perfect paint job, no matter the condition.
Specializing in residential, commercial, and industrial, no paint job is too big or too complex for the VanDerKolk Painting team. Get a free estimate for your paint project today by filling out an online contact form or by calling (616) 202-6570.
