exterior door rust repair
#1
09-11-17, 11:44 AM
exterior door rust repair
Hi, I have a walk-out basement door that is thin steel on both sides and (I think) wood core. It has several rust bubbles on the lower outside section. I'm afraid to sand them because I'm anticipating a hole in the thin metal skin will be the result. Is there any way to make a long lasting, decent looking repair? Thanks in advance Steve
#2
09-11-17, 12:19 PM
If the rust isn't removed it will come back. I'd sand it down to clean metal and hope for the best. Small holes can be filled with bondo. Once the repair is finished, apply a couple of coats of an oil base primer and top coat with latex paint. Most of those type of steel doors require latex because the steel is so thin that when it expands/contracts with temp changes oil base paint will pop loose, latex will give a little.
#3
09-11-17, 04:32 PM
Member
#1, Post a picture so we can see what your seeing.
Most often if it's rusting is because that door was shipped primed and it never got two coats of latex paint, or someone waited too long before repainting.
Most often if it's rusting is because that door was shipped primed and it never got two coats of latex paint, or someone waited too long before repainting.
#4
09-12-17, 06:45 AM
Thanks for the replies. Door is (I believe) 25 yrs old, I bought the house 23 yrs ago and it was painted then. It has been kept painted with latex paint since I've been here. I'm going to try to attach a picture - can't seem to get it to work. Anyway, thanks for the advice. I'll sand it down and deal with whatever I find. Steve
#7
09-13-17, 12:46 PM
So- I sanded and was pleasantly surprised! Only 2 tiny rust holes. I just painted over them with oil-based primer and they pretty much disappeared. I'll give them 2 coats of latex and call it good. I guess I was anticipating a much bigger problem. Thanks for all the good advice. Steve
#9
09-13-17, 01:28 PM
Group Moderator
You generally want to use a "rust converter" on rust prior to painting, (not just any old oil primer) because it chemically changes the composition of the rust to an inert state that makes the rust less likely to recur and spread in the future.
Not saying what you did isn't fine, but a rust converter first would probably have been better and/or lasted longer.
Not saying what you did isn't fine, but a rust converter first would probably have been better and/or lasted longer.
