Rust stains can occur at the actual nail heads or as lines of runoff from an accumulation of rust that has bled through to the top coat. Found mostly in older construction. Causes: Nongalvanized iron nails either were not countersunk and filled over or their covering putty has worn away.
How do you treat rusty nails?
To remove nail head rusting from surfaces:
- Sand* the nail heads.
- Caulk the nail heads with acrylic caulk.
- Apply a rust-inhibitive or stain-blocking primer to the nail heads and surrounding area.
- Apply multiple primer coats to the nail heads.
- Re-paint the surface.
What nails are rust proof?
If you're concerned about rust affecting nails, use aluminum nails, which resist rust even better than rust-resistant finishes. They are used most frequently on aluminum siding or screening. If you're hammering into cedar or redwood, you'll need to use stainless steel nails, which won't corrode or break down.
