How to remove rust from metal before painting?
Rust or metal corrosion appears as a result of its oxidation under the influence of external factors. This not only spoils the appearance of metal products but also significantly reduces their service life. In order to put products in order and add a few more years of service, it is necessary to remove rust and protect the metal from the risks of its further occurrence.
It is important to approach this issue responsibly. After all, the more thoroughly the surface is cleaned from rust, the better the protective coating of the structure will be, and the better the paint will adhere to the metal.
How can rust be removed?
Rust and scale can be removed from metal using mechanical or chemical methods.
Mechanical methods of cleaning metal involve the use of steel brushes, grinders, or sandblasting. However, this procedure requires significant physical and time expenditure.
As for chemical methods of cleaning metal with special washes, they are used not only to remove rust from metal but also for degreasing it and cleaning it from oils and old paint. The most effective chemical method of cleaning is using a rust converter.
How to work with a rust converter?
Before using it, the surface must be prepared. For this, old paint should be removed using an SP-6 ZEBRA old paint remover, after which it is essential to degrease the surface. As a degreaser, you can use organic solvents such as Universal Solvent ZEBRA or cleaning agents. The degreasing process is very important because otherwise, there will be no point in using the converter (it will run off the surface).
The Express ZEBRA rust converter effectively removes corrosion elements. It breaks down rust, creates a strong anti-corrosion film, and increases the lifespan of the coating. Unlike other converters, it contains plant acids, so there is no need to rinse it off with water after application. Ordinary converters contain phosphoric acid, which forms a white granular deposit. If not rinsed with water, it eventually undermines the final coating.
The surface treated with Express ZEBRA converter can be painted 1.5-2 hours after application, which saves significant time.
The converter can be used to remove corrosion from ferrous metal surfaces such as car underbodies and bodies, fences, and roofs.
Ideally, to achieve a maximally cleaned surface, it is better to combine mechanical and chemical methods of rust removal. That is, remove the top layer of loose rust mechanically and use Express ZEBRA rust converter for stubborn residues. Using these methods mentioned above allows easy and fast removal of rust from metal structures.
And how to protect cleaned metal?
There are two options for treating metal products.
- Priming and applying enamel. The work is carried out in 2 stages. First, the metal cleaned from rust must be covered with an anti-corrosive primer GF-021 ZEBRA. The material removes dust, creates an even layer for subsequent coatings application, and improves material adhesion – subsequent layers adhere well to the surface. Once the primer has dried, colorful ZEBRA enamels can be applied.
- Using 3 in 1 enamel. Anti-corrosive enamel ZEBRA 3 in 1 contains priming substances and allows bypassing priming application. This simplifies the work by one step and noticeably speeds it up. Anti-corrosive enamel 3 in 1 when applied correctly creates a coating for up to 5 years.
The comprehensive use of all materials will protect any ferrous metal from destructive environmental effects and achieve high-quality coverage for a very long term.