Depending on regions and environments, metal buildings can constantly be exposed to large amounts of oxygen and moisture, both of which are causes of oxidation and rust. Salt that’s sprayed by the big trucks in the winter to melt snow can cause major damage and accelerate the corrosion process. Rust is unattractive and will severely compromise the integrity of a structure. However, there are protective measures that you can take to prevent rust from developing that could add many years of life to your metal building, such as getting an acrylic finish and paint.

The best place to start is to power wash or hose down the building to remove dirt and dust.

Scrub off the existing rust with vinegar; the acid in the vinegar will eat the rust away. Remember to use a steel brush.

Using a steel brush dipped in bleach will remove the mildew.

Once your building is dry, wipe with a cloth to make sure no chalky areas remain. Once it’s clean, apply the rust-inhabiting finish. An acrylic finish will protect against rust without changing the building’s color.

You can use a paint sprayer, brush, or roller to apply the finish to the entire building. You can tape off any parts you don’t want to come into contact with the acrylic. Allow 2 hours to dry.

Things You Will Need:

• Steel brush
• Vinegar
• Bleach
• Power washer
• Tack cloth
• Painter’s tape
• Plastic sheeting or newspapers
• Rust-inhibiting primer or finish
• Paint sprayer with .017 to .021 tip, brush or roller
• Acrylic primer/basecoat
• Acrylic house paint
• Tips

**Our 12 gauge offers a 20-year rust-proof warranty.

You should not work in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.