Do you want to know the answer to the question that “Can you paint over rust?”?

Well, you may doubt but the answer “yes” may make you surprised. People always paint on rust-free materials. So why and how can we paint over rust?

Now you can let your hair down as all your concerns will be dispelled right after reading this article. Come and discover exciting things!

Can You Paint Over Rust?

paint over rusty surfacesYou can paint over rusty surfaces of different objects. However, depending on the extent of rust, you should prepare and pretreat that rust in different ways before painting over them. The more carefully you pretreat, the better the result of painting is.

You should understand that rust is caused by chemical processes. And you can make that chemical process come to a halt with mechanical or chemical treatment.

In general, you can entirely paint on rusty objects. Nevertheless, it will be literally an infeasible task if you don’t handle rusty parts carefully before working with them.

So we will show you the detailed instructions on how to paint over rust. Let’s get started!

See Also: Using Rust-oleum Universal Metallic Spray Paint

Can You Paint Over Rust? Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Determine The Severity of Rust

Determine The Severity of RustThe status of rust is divided into 3 levels:

  • Light rust: when the rust is still light, the paint layer peels off, and there are small patches of rust. If you only use your fingers but can rub them away, the rust is quite light.
  • Medium rust: you can recognize this type of rust when seeing that the surfaces of the metal have turned into rusty arrays in dark brown color. And when you touch them, they will fall off.
  • Heavy rust: This rust happens when lots of deep concaves appear on the metal surface. In other words, the surface is almost covered with rust. At this time, the rust status is quite serious. Therefore, you need a more special treatment than that of the above two situations.

Step 2: What To Do Before Painting

What To Do Before PaintingBefore painting, you need to make everything well-prepared. That can ensure you work quickly and effectively during the process. So what to do to get ready?

First and foremost, you need to take a ventilated area into account. You should choose a clean and airy yard where you can paint in a comfortable way. Plus, you can also let your painted objects dry right at that place without moving them elsewhere.

After that, depending on the severity of rust, you need to handle the rust appropriately. Then, you can easily paint on the objects.

For a lightly rusty surface, what you need to do is simply use a brush or sandpaper to rub each rusty part so that scales and dust will be removed. Then, don’t forget to wipe the surface again with a clean rag.

If the rust is so heavy that a brush and sandpaper cannot work well, you have to get a hand-held grinding machine to remove all the rusted metal debris.

After having done these preparation steps, you can start to paint.

Step 3: Painting Over Rust

Painting Over RustPrimer

In case there is a layer of old paint on the surface, you can cover it with a coat of special primer paint. It is called milk paint. Use a paintbrush, dip it into milk paint, and paint on the rusted surface.

Let it dry in about 15 minutes, and you will see the result. This type of paint can transform the old paint layer and rusted surface into a clean and paintable one. So the rusty part will also disappear.

Okay, you have already covered the surface with a coat of milk paint. But is it necessary to apply another primer layer? – you may ask.

Actually, having any other primer is not necessary because milk paint is enough. It sticks well to the rusty surface. Moreover, this primer can also help to prevent the rust from spreading further.

Main Paint Layer

Usually, you only need to apply the primer layer and a stainless surface that looks like something brand new will appear in front of your eyes without delay. However, it will not last long and doesn’t have aesthetics as well.

Hence, for the best results in terms of quality and appearance, you should use the second paint layer. Once you cover the surface with a coat of primer, you can freely paint on your objects you like.

If you use a paintbrush to paint, you should do it slowly and evenly. Move your hand from left to right then right to left until the surface is covered with paint. So the finish will have a good coat.

In case you use a spray paint can, you should also move your hand evenly and keep a certain distance from your wrist to the surface.

Remember to apply 2 coats of metal shield premium topcoat on your objects to ensure that the surface is protected in the best way. After the first coat, let the paint dry in about 20 – 30 minutes and paint the next one.

Read More: Best Spray Paint For Metal

Step 4: Finishing The Work

Finishing The WorkWhen you have finished all the above steps, put your objects in a dry and clean space. It takes the paint about 24 hours to dry completely. It is also of great importance to notice your painted surface during the drying process. Don’t let any things fall down and stick on it.

When touching the surface, if you find it smooth and not adhesive, your work is done!

Useful Tips For Painting Over Rust

Useful Tips For Painting Over Rust

  • Don’t Forget A Primer Layer
    A primer layer is essential for every painting because it makes the surface more adhesive to the next painting coat. For rusted metal surface, it also helps to prevent the rust from becoming more serious.
  • Replace An Old Newspaper Under The Object After Each Step
    You should place an old newspaper under the object. And when the paper gets dirtier, replace it with another one. That helps you do everything clean. Moreover, after finishing your work, you can clean up effortlessly.
  • Don’t Work In Wet Conditions
    In wet conditions, it will be harder for you to work effectively. Do you know why? Well, water is the culprit. Water can prevent the paint from adhering to the surface perfectly So this paint layer will easily peel off in just a short time. So, find somewhere dry and airy instead!

To Sum Up

Overall, painting on a rusted surface is entirely possible. In this article, we have shared with you what you need to know about painting over rust. Now, if someone asks you, “Can you paint over rust?”, don’t hesitate to give them a Yes.