Nail heads in wall - rust through paper?

[StanHerbert]

I've just stripped some of that thin polystyrene off a wall in my house to discover the wall behind has about 25 large nails embedded in it. These have started to rust.

They are large rectangular 'brads' which have been cut flush with the surface of the wall. The wall is cinder block - bonding plaster - skim.

I'm worried they will rust and marks will appear on our new wallpaper if I don't treat them in some way.

I've tried bashing them in further to fill over, but they just deform and don't move.

Any suggestions what I can do? Is there something I can paint over which will seal them in effectively?

If I can avoid digging 25 holes in the wall in order to get enough purchase to pull them out I'd really like to!

Many thanks for reading.

 

[JohnD]

dab an oil-based primer over them.

 

[StanHerbert]

That's nice and simple!

Thank you very much.

 

[HERTS P&D]

You could also touch the nail heads with an angle grinder so that filler can be applied, then sanded and oil based paint.

Andy

 

[StanHerbert]

Hmm, that would probably give a better finish, but never having used an angle grinder I think I might end up with Zorro-esque gouges across the wall!

I'll try the simple method first and see what it looks like.

 

[joe-90]

 

[Pigeon85]

Tap them in a bit further then fill