What needs to be done before painting rusty metal?

Under the influence of the external environment, even the highest quality material is corroded. Before painting rusty metal, it is necessary to choose the best option. If you have to deal with traces of destruction on a car, gas or water pipes, it is better to entrust the procedure to professionals.

Any violation of the product application technique can lead to a noticeable deterioration of the situation or to obtain only a temporary positive effect. When you have to work with a damaged surface yourself, it is necessary to take into account a number of important nuances.

Rusty Surface Pretreatment Methods

Even if it is planned to treat the rusty surface with special paint, it needs to be prepared for this. In this case, the final result will look more aesthetically pleasing, and the coating will last longer.

Depending on the area and depth of the lesion, one of the following exposure options can be considered:

• Mechanical cleaning. This treatment option is used to remove large pieces of rust. Hand brushes, drills and grinders are used. If the area is small, you can handle it with sandpaper. Exposure allows not only to achieve a good degree of cleaning, but also to even out scratches and remove bumps.

Tip: Choosing how to cover the problem area, you need to consider not only the decorative moments of the process and personal comfort. If moisture-resistant paint is applied to water pipes, then the elements will have to be updated very often. Ideally, you should consult with professionals on this matter, and not just purchase a product that is suitable for color and speed of drying.

• Dry cleaning. If mechanical treatment is unavailable for some reason, then the surface is treated with special acids that dissolve rust and paint residues. The main thing is to proceed with caution and follow all safety precautions given on the product packaging.

After traces of rust and paint are removed, the working surface must be degreased with any detergent. In addition, a primer is recommended to ensure a smooth surface.

Pros and cons of popular rust painting approaches

Thanks to the rapid expansion of the range of coatings and related products, there are several options for processing rusty metal. To understand which one is better, you need to evaluate their positive and negative sides:

• The classic approach. A few years ago, it was the only possible one. The problem area was surface treated mechanically or chemically, after which a new layer of the same paint was applied to it. It is worth considering, despite the formation of a film, moisture and air will still penetrate under such a coating, which will cause further destruction of the metal.
• Professional approach. With it, the problem area is completely cleaned of rust and painted. But even with this method it is difficult to count on the optimal result. After all, it is very difficult to completely remove corrosion, no matter how much time was spent on processing. And the further use of auxiliary compounds and primers can hit the family budget.
• The modern approach. This method involves applying special products directly to a rusty surface. The secret of such funds lies in the presence of components that inhibit the oxidation processes. The film is more dense, so it does not allow moisture and air to pass through.

Many facts speak in favor of the latter approach.It does not require a long and tedious preparation (although it is still worth a little cleaning). It guarantees the durability of the result, subject to all technical recommendations. Microcracks practically do not form on elements coated with such paint. The composition is better than analogues to withstand external influences, prevents the further spread of rust. Finally, it is very easy to use and can be used for both external and internal work.

Today, even such highly specialized products are presented in a wide assortment. If desired, you can purchase a quick-drying water-based composition or epoxy primer-enamel. All of them are accompanied by detailed and accessible instructions, the observance of which guarantees the receipt of the desired result.