How to Paint Rusty Metal Scrollwork

Wire brush the entire surface of the rusty metal scrollwork. Pay special attention to the areas where the scrollwork comes together or welds to the metal frame around the scrollwork.

Clean the scrollwork with a clean rag to remove the rust freed by the wire brush.

Thoroughly inspect the surface of the scrollwork to ensure there are no areas of heavy rust present on the surface of the metal. If you notice any heavy rust, repeat steps one and two to free the rust from the surface of the scrollwork.

Place painter's plastic on the ground and other areas you want to protect from paint overspray. Secure the plastic with masking tape to keep the plastic in place while you are painting the scrollwork.

Shake the can of rust neutralizing primer for the time specified on the back of the can.

Holding the tip of the spray can 8 to 10 inches away from the surface of the scrollwork, push down on the tip of the spray can to flow the paint. Use a sweeping side-to-side motion to apply the paint to the metal surface. Do not stop and hold the paint can in one position as the thin paint will run down the metal scrollwork and produce an undesirable finish.

Allow the rust-neutralizing prime to cure before proceeding to step 8.

Use the process described in steps 5 and 6 to prepare and apply two thin layers of spray paint to the primed metal surface of the scrollwork. Do not apply one thick coat of paint to save time as the paint will run.

Inspect the surface of the scrollwork, and look for areas that the paint did not adequately cover. These areas will have a different color than the rest of the scrollwork or show primer through the finish.

Reapply paint as needed to thoroughly cover the surface of the scrollwork.

Remove the painter's plastic from the surfaces you were protecting after the paint has thoroughly cured.