Weatherproofing Bare Metal

[Glassman]

How to weatherproof bare metal.



The original plan was to prime and paint the metal but now that it's been cut to size (and I'm waiting for the welder to come and do his bit) I do like how it looks, even the little rusty bits. What is the best way to protect the metal and also that it doesn't make your hand dirty if you were to touch it?



It's in the garden and will get sun on it for most part of the day.

Apologies for the poor quality images; dropped my phone and broke the glass that protects the camera lens!

[Rng91]

High zinc content weld through primer will work fine.

UPOL stuff works well enough.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186357232279?gad_source...

[SHutchinson]

Lacquer should do the trick.

[Glassman]

Rng91 said:

High zinc content weld through primer will work fine.

UPOL stuff works well enough.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186357232279?gad_source...

Isn't that grey?

[Rng91]

Glassman said:

Isn't that grey?

Apologies i missed the part where you said you liked it as it was, i wrong assumed you wanted it protecting until welding without the faff of having to take paint off etc when you weld it.

In that case as suggested above a clean and some lacquer will probably do..

[biggiles]

Lacquer may work, but full sunshine may degrade it.

Have you come across Cor-ten steel? If you like the weathered/rusty look, it's design to rust a bit - then stop degrading. Better than mild steel for outdoors, sometimes used for sculptures etc.

[morrisk1]

You could try a clear lacquer. Or take a look here for Cor-ten;
https://uk.cortenplus.com/