Things You'll Need:
- Phosphoric acid
- Steel bristled brush
- Sandpaper
- Primer
- Paint
- Paintbrush or chip brush
Tip
Keep a close eye on any exposed metal. Once the paint is worn thin the metal is vulnerable to rust. Apply a fresh coat of paint every five years to keep the light pole rust free.
You want the exterior of your home to look as good as the interior. One area of exterior maintenance that many people overlook is the outside light fixtures. Your exterior light fixtures need to be painted about as often as your home, which is about every five to ten years. Painting a metal pole is very straightforward. Choose the right paints and make sure you have a properly prepped surface on which to apply the paint.
Attack rusted areas with a steel bristled brush. Brush vigorously in a back and forth motion to remove as much rust as possible.
Sand the rounded part of the pole with coarse grit sandpaper. Work around the pole with the sandpaper. Wipe off the sanding dust with a damp rag.
Spray the metal pole with phosphoric acid. The acid will convert any invisible rust to a crust of iron phosphate. Let the solution work overnight.
Scrub the metal pole with a steel bristled brush where you see crust. Completely remove all of the iron phosphate crust.
Apply oil based metal primer to the light pole. Start at the top of the pole and work down to catch drips as you move. Apply one to two thin coats of primer. Let the primer dry completely.
Paint the metal pole with an oil based metal paint, using the same technique used to apply the primer. Apply two to three thin coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry before applying another.
References
Writer Bio
Lisa East Hunter is a consultant and freelance writer in Phoenix. Her background in marketing and technology led her to explore all avenues of writing. She is currently dividing her time between freelance writing and her consulting business. Hunter has a Bachelor of Science in management information systems and marketing.
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