0

TLDR: How do I protect metal projects from rusting when they take more than a day to finish?

I’m restoring our old wheelbarrow. Stripping all the metal parts clean, filling holes, primer, paint, top coat, replacing all wood & fastening parts, the works. My problem is I’m a night owl that lives in the city, so I haven’t been able to work on it until after 6-7ish pm and constantly getting interrupted/having to stop working on it, plus working outside as my only option currently, I usually stop any loud work by 8:30-9ish.

I put it under my walled-in pop up canopy that serves as my workshop, and when I get back to work on it, it’s got surface rust. Wash and repeat…how can I temporarily protect it so I can actually finish getting it to clean metal and get it painted?

I have a handful of other metal projects I’m planning on doing once this one’s finished, and I know I’m going to run into the same problem.

Improve this question
6
  • 1
    Primer sounds well suited to the task. Many would prime over the rust. Is this an auto quality paint finish or something? A very light spraying of "cold galvanizing" primer might sand nicely with the zinc inhibiting any surface rust, but I'm speculating. Obviously you could use some kind of oil and degrease as part of your paint prep.
    – popham
    Commented Oct 15, 2023 at 2:07
  • I’m gonna be priming then painting, but I can’t get to that part bc I keep having to sand off the surface rust, and end up having to stop working before I can finish that part. I’m trying to prevent the surface rust from re-forming in between work sessions. You said use some kind of oil? What kind? Degreasing’s def faster & easier than removing the rust!
    – AylaDHD13
    Commented Oct 15, 2023 at 2:35
  • Is the surface rust a problem because of its texture. Because painting over minimal surface rust isn't a problem. Cold galvanizing primer. That's the stuff you would use.
    – popham
    Commented Oct 15, 2023 at 2:53
  • After cleaning an area of surface rust I've had good results using a zinc-phosphate metal prep product to prevent further rust forming. Note that this is not just phosphoric acid rust converter and metal etcher, but a product which leaves a zinc coating on the metal.
    – brhans
    Commented Oct 15, 2023 at 3:10
  • 1
    Work in sections, prep : clean then prime allow to dry or protect and work on a different section.
    – Solar Mike
    Commented Oct 15, 2023 at 5:27

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

This seems like an ideal use for a water displacement product. If any of the first 39 formulations had worked better, we wouldn't know it as WD-40™. This is. literally. the exact reason the product was created.

Clean & prep a part. Dose it in WD-40. Set it aside. When you're ready to paint, degrease a part(s) & paint.

Other products may work just as well. I'm not an employee or shareholder of WD-40. No endorsement or recommendation intended or implied.

Just don't use it as a lubricant - it's really not all that good at that. Additionally, while it does work to loosen stuck parts, there are far more effective products available on the market.

Improve this answer
0

Prime each section when you get it clean. Don't fuss about priming the whole thing at once, that's not needed (or steel ships would never be painted at all...)

Then clean up and prime another section. When it's all primed, you can sand to blend any distressing lap marks and shoot another coat of primer over it all, then paint the whole thing.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.