Clear finish for old metal

Zachary Hoyt · Mar 25, 2011

My late grandfather made this and gave it to my mother years ago. She just got it out of storage and put it in the yard and wants me to put some kind of finish on it to keep it from rusting away. I'm looking for a finish that will be as visually unobtrusive as possible but will be at least somewhat protective, and I don't know what to look for. I'll put it away during the winter months, so this is just for summer. Any advice will be much appreciated.
Zach

Grampy · Mar 25, 2011

I have heard that linseed oil works well, Never had reason to try it myself, but it should work.
Ken

rustyfarmall · Mar 25, 2011

You can get clear enamel in a rattle can, or you might even use clear polyurethane in a rattle can.

LP GAS ONLY · Mar 25, 2011

Anonymous-0 · Mar 25, 2011

You can buy clear in spray bombs with either a gloss finish or plain finish.

Nebraska Cowman · Mar 25, 2011

I doubt those pieces have ever been inside. I'd leave it alone and let it rust naturally. It's not going to "rust away", not in your lifetime.

BCnT · Mar 25, 2011

plain ole car wax once a year should do it...clear tends to turn yellow or flake off and you'll go broke hosing it down with wd40 every week...never used linseed oil on metal...works great on wood.
kinda neat what can be built with throwaways
my sis gives me heII about all the scrap i keep around but usually i find what i need or something to adapt without going to town.
got a place to clean up this week that just sold...new owner just said he wants all of it gone and the present owner dont wanna mess with anything...16' covered bbq pit on a trailer...'86 Honda 4 wheeler...new roll of field fence...new and used tin...treated lumber...list goes on...figure i'll be hauling for a few days and collect a check on top of it when done

Old Roy · Mar 25, 2011

this will work
if you do it the way it is the rusty areas will come out darker

John Harmon. · Mar 25, 2011

I made one similiar to yours , I found an 20" Disc Blade for the base.Welded an old steel Wagon Rim just like yours to the disc blade ,then welded a short chain to an old rotary hoe wheel [from a horse drawn hoe] and then welded the chain to the top center of the Wagon rim so it dangeled down about center,sand blasted it all and gave it several coats of Rust-o-leum paint. Base was black,Rim was red,chain was black,and hoe wheel was AC Persion Orange. These are paints I had in the shop so I never had to buy any.The AC paint was from Farm & Fleet ,a rust preventer paint. Was a very nice yard ornament and i got a lot of compliments on it.
Still looks good five years later.

RN · Mar 25, 2011

Try Marine Spar Varnish. preserves wood and metals- the hoe handle doesn"t rot and shaft/head is still clean after a couple set outsides over winter. RN

GeneMO · Mar 25, 2011

(quoted from post at 10:17:02 03/25/11) I have heard that linseed oil works well, Never had reason to try it myself, but it should work.
Ken

Yes on the linseed oil.

Gene

showcrop · Mar 25, 2011

Get phosphoric acid POR 15, or Ospho, or Picklex at $125/gal. Clean it good by spraying it on with a spray bottle until you don't see any more brown, just black. then paint it with satin finish Rustoleum black. If you want to save a $100.00 go to a restaurant supply store and get limescale solvent acid, same as the ones above.

Zachary Hoyt · Mar 25, 2011

Thanks for all of the responses, I have linseed oil so I'll give that a
try first. Lots of good ideas with which to experiment.
Zach

504 · Mar 26, 2011

Rust Prevention Magic 314-707-2523 [email protected] It is made for bare metal like you would find on a restored show car.

36 Coupe · Mar 26, 2011

Linseed oil will work fine.Just beware of any rags with linseed oil on them.They will combust.I put them in the shop stove.Metal with linseed oil on it will turn black if heated slightly.

Clear finish for old metal

Zachary Hoyt

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Grampy

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rustyfarmall

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LP GAS ONLY

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Anonymous-0

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Nebraska Cowman

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BCnT

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Old Roy

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John Harmon.

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RN

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GeneMO

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showcrop

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Zachary Hoyt

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504

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36 Coupe

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