Metal Oil Drums - Restoration

[Uncle Albert]

Hi Grapes,

Probably the wrong forum area, so feel free to move me...

I have a couple of old metal drums that have rusted badly but are still structurally sound, which I'd like to use as water butts. I will Hammerite them on the outside, and I'm thinking of doing the same to the interiors.

Has anyone had any experience of using Hammerite in contact with water?

I'm pretty sure there won't be a nasty contamination issue, but I'd hate to spend the money and have it all flake off after a week with water in the butts.

Thanks in advance.

[muckdiva]

Glad you asked that, I'm in the same situation. We have some paint for sheet metal roofs that I wondered about using, but didn't want to contaminate the water.... Will watch this thread with interest.

[jacob marley]

If the paint is dry when the water there should not be a problem as far as i can see if you are getting on a bit if you dig a hole so as the drum is in the ground you do not have to lift the can to high when fulljacob

[Madasafish]

"Has anyone had any experience of using Hammerite in contact with water?"

Rust contimues.. more slowly.

I believe Hammerite is inert once cured..(allow a week for solvent to evaporate...)

You will have to wire brush all loose rust off first ...