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How to restore rusted metal with paint

red brick house with black metal fence

Overview

You can uplift everything from outdoor furniture to garden sheds and gutters to give your outdoor space a refresh. Use Dulux Metalshield® to refurbish, protect and decorate metal surfaces and help them look good for longer in only three simple steps.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment. Work in a well-ventilated area when working with spray paint.

Steps

1Preparation

Use a wire brush to remove any loose, flaked rust and paint. Sand the surface to a smooth finish and wipe down with a cloth and mineral turpentine to remove any oil, grease or dirt.

person cleaning a white metal outdoor bench, cleaning with hard brush

2Apply Metalshield® Rust Primer™

It’s best to apply Metalshield® Rust Primer™ straight after surface preparation. Shake the bottle before opening. Apply a coat by brush, roller or air spray, allowing at least an hour before painting (but no longer than a week).

Green Bunnings hammer
Tip: Ensure you use different application equipment for the primer and topcoat. Never mix the two when applying.
person painting a white mental outdoor bench

3Keep in mind

If you’re refreshing a traditional home, painting downpipes and gutters in a colour that blends into the brickwork can help maintain the architectural integrity of the building. Gutters and downpipes on modern homes can work well in a contrasting colour to the brickwork or render.

4Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I need to totally remove rust on metal before painting?

Not totally. Small bits of rust left on metal will be converted to an inert form by the primer. This means it prevents further rust from occurring.

I don’t know what type of metal I’m painting. Does it matter?

No. Dulux Metalshield® Rust Defence™ can be used on all common metal surfaces.

Why do I need a primer?

Dulux Metalshield® Rust Primer™ is designed to neutralise rust and adhere to rusted surfaces, so a topcoat lasts longer.

5Looking for your next paint project?

Is it time to give your home a new look? Check out the latest colour trends from Dulux.

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Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.