I posted this in another forum - this looks more appropriate (sorry to admins!) -

Okay - I'm stupid. I used regular ringshank nails to put trim up on a new woodshed. Now they're rusting - go figure!

I tried to seal the rust with shellac-based primer. No luck.

I'd rather now pull all of them and replace with galvanized - or just deal with the ugly rust (it IS afterall a woodshed).

Is there a way to seal these before I paint?

 

A solvent based primer helps a little but the problem is the thickness of the primer. The best way I know to handle rusty nails is to countersink them and then fill the nail hole with glazing or painter's putty. Depending on the top coat used, the putty might need to be primed first but that should take care of the rust issue

 

Hello Doc,

By catching it early, you should be okay.

If any nail heads are protruding, then punch those in. By referring to a “new woodshed”, I’m assuming surface rust on the nail heads, and not badly rusted ones. Since you refer to painting this shed, I’m not sure if it has ever been primed and painted before.

The only extra thing you should do is to use a rusty metal primer . . . then prime and paint the wood. I prefer Rust Destroyer as it is goes on thicker (from recall, I think it specifies 3 mil thickness required but can be achieved w/ one coat) and compatible w/ most metals and all paints (this brand is harder to find and big differences in price between stores carrying it; you won’t need much . . . a possibility: Rust Destroyer Primer Paint 1/2 Pint Metal Rust preventative cover encapsulate Advance Protective Products 73016 Buy Online Retailer - ePaintStore.com | Online Paint Store). Follow directions . . . probably only need to assure the surface is free of dirt/oil. Just dap a small amount on nail heads and feather it in on wood . . . takes several seconds to do each one.

After metal primer has cured, I would apply a primer like Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 . . . there are other good brands available (if shed is already primed, I would just touch-up over the dark red metal primer). Last step, top coat.

If you go w/ different brands, check those coatings to make sure they’re compatible with one another.

 

thanks for the advice, guys.

Turns out the BIN shellac-based primer seems to have sealed the rust. I didn't hide it from view, but it appears to have sealed it. I put on another coat of the BIN for good measure and put on a finish coat of paint just to see what would happen. After several rains, it looks like it's holding.

In the long run, who knows, but for now I'm going to finish up the trim painting and call it done......

doc

 

Yeah, primer can be a little deceiving - it doesn't necessarily make something invisible but keeps it from bleeding through the paint you then put on top.

 

A early 1950's cottage duplex, water front sunny California~~~~I have literally have tons of rusty nail heads. The entire property sits on a old wood deck, with wood rails, and wood siding. Easy to know where the cross sections connect, cause every painted nail appears through the paint. Just repainted a section of railing 2 weeks ago, and the rust is already appearing. Help? I need any suggestions that have worked for larger areas.

 

Welcome to the forums WaveMalibu!

As stated earlier in this thread you need to countersink the nail heads and then fill the void with putty. After priming there shouldn't be any more issues with the rust bleeding thru the paint.