By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
Step1
Lay down a thick layer of newspaper below the area to be painted.
Step2
Remove corrosion, which looks like white stains, with 1 tbsp. white vinegar in 1 c. water. Apply it with a soft cloth.
Step3
Follow the vinegar solution with 1 tbsp. baking soda dissolved in 1 c. water; this will neutralize the vinegar.
Step4
Rinse the pipework three or four times with fresh water.
Step5
Go over the entire pipe surface with steel wool dipped in mineral spirits. This will rough up the surface just enough while removing any oils, grease, or grime that has accumulated.
Step6
Allow the pipe to dry completely.
Step7
Paint the pipes with your choice of paint (see Related eHows).