Hiding rusty nail heads on house paint

[911pcars]

I'm resurrecting this post from another "Paint a House" thread:

I have to paint a rental unit, but I don't quite know to tackle this issue.

There are faint rust stains on the existing paint indicating the location of each nail head on the ship-lap siding. What's the suggested procedure to make sure these rust stains don't migrate to the new paint paint surface?

Do I have to wire brush each nail head to bare metal, then apply a layer of rust resistant primer (like POR or equivalent) or can I apply said rust resistant primer on top of the existing color coat and call it a day? As with car rust, I suspect complete rust removal is necessary. While this unit is only 600 sq. feet, that's still many hundreds of nailheads to address. I want this to last as long as possible.

Thanks,
Sherwood

[legion]

In this case, the rust isn't actually hurting anything...

I'd throw some Kilz over the spot.

Or even better--just paint the house a color that doesn't show the rust stains.

[911pcars]

"Or even better--just paint the house a color that doesn't show the rust stains.
"

Like.... rust color? That strategy seems a little restrictive. Maybe Kilz will work.

Sherwood

[dennis in se pa]

I say use Kilz also. Be sure to get the oil based type. The water based does not work.

[911pcars]

This article on preventing rust from lifting paint and discoloring the top coat:

Remove Rust Stains from Nails | DoItYourself.com

They recommend wire brushing ALL nail heads, then countersink, fill and prime. That's a lot of nail heads to address.

Any thoughts?

S

[look 171]

Can you even countersink the nail heads? Chances are it has a nail head on it. I am sure about the oil base paint areound here anymore? You might have to drive to venture county for that stuff. Prime it and use oil base paint and hope for the best. The oil base paint should be the trick if you can get it and come back without getting busted.

[craigster59]

I've sunk the nailheads with a punch, fillled with a Dunn Edwards exterior spackle (can't remember which, but it worked great) and primed with Kilz (the one with the sun on the can). Haven't had any problems and it's been 15 years.

[craigster59]

Sinking the nails is easy, shiplap is usually redwood or cedar so it's soft. You can go to Simi to get your paint, that's the quickest if you're in No. L.A. County.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by craigster59

I've sunk the nailheads with a punch, fillled with a Dunn Edwards exterior spackle (can't remember which, but it worked great) and primed with Kilz (the one with the sun on the can). Haven't had any problems and it's been 15 years.

You might and should have gav. nails already. Some of these bastards tries to save a buck and use regular nails. The inspector should catch it but...

[911pcars]

The thought of me or a laborer wire brushing, countersinking, filling and primering hundreds of nailheads gives me pause (I think I've shared that already).

S

[Mrmerlin]

you could always opt for getting the house resided with the lifetime Vinyl covering , it might cost a bit more than just painting but you wont have to touch the outside of the house again

[teenerted1]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

"Or even better--just paint the house a color that doesn't show the rust stains.
"

Like.... rust color? That strategy seems a little restrictive. Maybe Kilz will work.

Sherwood

red/black/any dark color? i'm sure the paint store has sugestions.

[look 171]

Sherwood,

Paint it and it will come back again. Don't spend the money to side it. Its a rental.

Part of the problem with today's paint is that it is water base and it is not as good as the paint of the past. The quality of the paint isn't your problem. Today's paint job last 5-10 years. In the old days, they use to last 15-20 years. Yes my friend, you pay for that.

[JayJay67]

All rusting nail heads will come back.....I agree!! The only way to deal with this is to remove the nail head. Two ways to remove a nail head 1.Use the claw side of a nail puller and dig the nail out (very time consuming) 2. Best method is to cut the nail head off with the drill bit from Nail Head Gone, it takes about 10 seconds to do and leaves an easy to fill small hole. Always remove the rusting nail heads with the Nail Head Gone drill bit before you paint.

[911pcars]

My original thread was dated 2009, and I'm now able to report that the process I used has worked thus far. I instructed my cooperative and patient painters to find every nail location, then with a pencil tip size wire wheel (Dremel), clean the nail head to bare metal, followed by a dab of fresh POR 21. After drying, filled the nail head divot with body filler or putty (don't recall which one), primer, then color coat. To date, 7 years later, it's still good. No paint bleeding from rust. There are a few areas that are beginning to reveal a nail head underneath, but these could be attributed to incomplete POR 21 coverage.

I'm not a painter and for all I know, this could be an average life span for water-based paint, but so far so good for 42 year old nails.
S

[masraum]

Originally Posted by JayJay67

All rusting nail heads will come back.....I agree!! The only way to deal with this is to remove the nail head. Two ways to remove a nail head 1.Use the claw side of a nail puller and dig the nail out (very time consuming) 2. Best method is to cut the nail head off with the drill bit from Nail Head Gone, it takes about 10 seconds to do and leaves an easy to fill small hole. Always remove the rusting nail heads with the Nail Head Gone drill bit before you paint.

Yeah, that's not a sales pitch or anything.

[Dantilla]

A quick squirt with a rattle can of Kilz.

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by JayJay67

All rusting nail heads will come back.....I agree!! The only way to deal with this is to remove the nail head. Two ways to remove a nail head 1.Use the claw side of a nail puller and dig the nail out (very time consuming) 2. Best method is to cut the nail head off with the drill bit from Nail Head Gone, it takes about 10 seconds to do and leaves an easy to fill small hole. Always remove the rusting nail heads with the Nail Head Gone drill bit before you paint.

Question. Without nail heads, what keeps the siding in place? I understand about fresh lumber, but as it dries out, the nails generally loose clamping force.

[look 171]

Sherwood, that's a mistake. The nail head is there for a reason. You are correct.

How's that place coming along, BTW?

[911pcars]

Jeff,
Almost ready for interior paint (that place being another residence). Thanks for your support thus far. How's your mobile project coming along?