Restoring rusty old iron wall bracket

[diykat]

hi

I have a rusty old, once painted, wall bracket for a hanging basket. So far I've tried to attack it with a flat-bladed screwdriver to knock off all the muck, old paint and rust.

Anyone know how I should make the surface suitable for painting?

What sort of paint would be best for it?

Thank you

 

[JohnD]

Paint stripper first

Then wire brush for the rust. A hand one or one in an electric drill. Wear goggles as the steel whiskers fly off.

You can get metal primers for iron and steel that inhibit rust. Your paint shop or DIY shed will have shelves full.

Don't use Hammerite - rust grows underneath it and it is too shiny to repaint.

 

[masona]

Got some the other day from the car accessories shop called Loctite Rust Remedy as the rusts turn to black to neutralises into a hard layer ready for painting.

 

[oilman]

Get a plastic container big enough to fit the bracket in. Get some acid central heating descaler. Mix it up about normal to twice normal strength. Soak bracket overnight, then check to see how it's getting on. This will remove ALL the rust. Rinse and dry then paint quickly or rust will form.

It's a surprise how well this works.

 

[diykat]

thanx people

I've sorted it best I can and repainted it. Looks ok

Hanging basket will soon be off the floor when I get around to putting the thing up

 

[oilman]

.........
I've sorted it best I can ..............
...........

Er, no you haven't unless you dunked it in descaler. That would have chemically removed the rust right down to the base metal. So, if you haven't done that, then it is not the best you could have done.

 

[breezer]

would a new bracket not have been easier / cheaper?

 

[diykat]

I gave it a good scrub with wire brush. Unfortunately I'd already painted it before I saw the advice about the derusting chemical dip.

Can't just get a new wall bracket as this one has sentimental value - made by my black-smith great uncle who died a few years back.

thanx everyone for the advice