How to Protect Metal From Rust

Rust in its basic form is easily recognized as a brown to red dust that forms on any exposed metal surface. Exposed metal surfaces can be any untreated steel that allows air and water to form the staining corrosion. If allowed to become established, rust can "eat" that metal into a weakened structure. By taking some precautions, though, you can protect metal from rust.

Things You'll Need

• Clear sealer spray paint
• Steel brush
• Gray primer coating
• Colored spray paint
• Zinc spray coating
• Penetrating oil
• Clean rags
• Car wax

Instructions

1. Apply a spray coating of a high-quality clear sealer. On new or freshly exposed metal surfaces, you can use a clear sealer to keep the moisture from penetrating any metal surface. This is especially useful if you want to keep a shiny look to metal and not cover that piece with a colored paint.

2. Remove the rust thoroughly, using a steel brush. If rust has begun to invade on a piece of metal, work the area until all signs of the rust have been removed. Apply a generous coat of a high quality gray primer for colored metals. Cover the gray primer with several coats of a colored spray paint to match the existing coating. Or in the case of galvanized steel, cover the cleaned area with a spray coating of zinc-based galvanized colored paint.

3. Treat tooling and other bare metals with a maintenance of a good penetrating oil. Many tooling surfaces such as table saws and planer tables use a bare metal finish. High humidity can begin to lay down a coating of rust if left untreated. A periodic application of penetrating oil with a clean rag can keep these bare surfaces free of rust.

4. Apply a light coating of car wax on bare metal surfaces. This layer of protection can keep the surface free of rust and slick in finish. This is especially useful for planer beds and table saws, where constant contact with wood may cause premature rusting due to the acid content of some wood species. The wax application allows for a smooth movement of the wood material through the tooling.

Tips & Warnings

• As with nearly anything you purchase, you do get what you pay for, and the same goes with spray paint. It may cost a little more, but a high-quality spray covering will go a long way in maintaining a rust-free finish.

References

• Rust