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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Finish for painted metal wall pocket

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Expert: - 7/11/2009


Question
Hello.  

I plan to attach two metal wall pockets to the exterior of my stucco house.  I purchased these thin metal wall pockets, sprayed primer on their already painted surface, then repainted them a dark brown using exterior flat house paint.  (Someone later remarked I should have used metal paint, but that was later.)  

I intend to fill the wall pockets with rock, soil and succulents and secure them to the front of my house.

Please advise what you think I should do to waterproof the wall pockets, keep them from rusting on the stucco, and to generally forestall the their eventual deterioration.

Many thanks for your consideration.

Answer
Hi Robin, I'm afraid I agree that the primer and flat latex house paint is a bad idea, especially if they already had an enamel (maybe even a baked on enamel) on them, and you did nothing to rough up that surface for the primer. I don't think there's anyway to "waterproof" them, you can delay the oxidation, but not forever, especially if there going to be constantly wet with soil and plants. Powder Coating may have been the best choice, but they would/will need to be sand blasted and then powder coated, and depending on what exactly they're made of, even that may not last as long as you want. Also, if they're just thin steel, and not galvanized or some other metal with less iron in it, they will not fare well....wish I had better news- post back if need be- Greg

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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