Painting Dairy Milk Can

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I would like to paint a big metal milk can (like used by a dairy) and hope someone can tell me how to clean the surface before spraying with Rustoleum paint.

-- Betty (MI) (brolffs@voyager. net), October 02, 2000

Answers

Betty. I did one of these back in the 70's I just painted mine but it was in good shape and had no rust I made it into a bar stool. I think you might want to go over it with steel wool then give it two or three good coats of paint. We have something new in our area called wallies they are like the old decals you could apply with water I have been wanting to find a project to use these on and a milk can would be perfect. You have inspired me. good luck Ronda in Wa.

-- ronda (thejohnsons_doty@hotmail.com), October 02, 2000.

If it is real rusty you might want to use a steel brush. I've painted stuff like this before and I used my hand-held electric 4 1/2 inch right angle grinder with a steel brush head on it and it takes the rust right off. Then just prime it and use a good enamel paint, and one coat should do.

-- dave (IA) (tidman@midiowa.net), October 03, 2000.

Betty, you did not state if the milk can was rusty. If it is you need to remove all rust. There is a product called "Naval Jelly" you can find at any paint store and most hardware stores. It does a good job on the rust, may need to use a wire brush on it. A couple coats of Rustoleum spray and light sanding should prepare the surface for painting. Are you going to do decorative painting on it? Either with oils or acrylic will require a 2-3 coats of spray varnish or verathane to protect the painting. I have painted many of these cans and saw blades. They are a lot of work to clean, but very rewardng when finished.

-- Hazel in WA (hazelm@tenforward.com), October 04, 2000.

Thank you all for your suggestions. This is a great place to learn!

-- Betty (MI) (brolffs@voyager.net), October 04, 2000.

Those old milk cans are great. I painted one that my hubby had welded an old tractor seat on top of, and it looked great. Also painted another one that had it's original lid, and I'm going to glue pictures on the center section, and then paint a contrasting color on the two bands below and above the pictures. Saw it in a magazine, and it looks pretty neat. Just have to decide what pictures to use as a kind of collage on the middle. Might be a good way to use up all those extra photos of the grandkids and the dogs, etc. Just be sure you do remove all the rust before painting. Jan

-- Jan in Colorado (Janice12@aol.com), October 04, 2000.


Really neat idea, Jan!

-- Hazel in WA (hazelm@tenforward.com), October 06, 2000.

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