How To Repair Galvanized Steel

The outer zinc coating of hot-dipped galvanized steel - that provides brilliant corrosion protection - becomes thinner over time until the base steel is exposed to the air and rusts completely. If your galvanized steel is simply a bit weathered, relying on the existing corrosion protection may be a viable option. Weathered galvanized metal does not have a new bright and shiny appearance but if an adequate amount of zinc coating is still present on the galvanized tub or bucket, an older coating can provide years to decades more corrosion protections.

Related: How long does galvanized steel last?

Perhaps you want to fix a corroded area or provide additional corrosion protection to a weathered galvanized wash tub. Yes, this will extend the life of the galvanized container. However, once the galvanized zinc coating is significantly deteriorated, it's long useful life is over. Time for a replacement that will last another century! We offer a complete line of galvanized buckets, small metal pails, tubs and wash tub planters.

The best DIY method to repair and extend the life of galvanized buckets is to paint them. Painting a fully-weathered hot-dip galvanized coating is often done successfully with little surface preparation required. The naturally occurring zinc patina forms an adherent profile on the surface of the coating that is excellent for paint systems. It is an industry standard to power wash the surface before applying paint, but a general washing will do. If areas of red or brown rust have formed on the base steel metal surface, they should be removed with a wire brush and sandpaper before painting.

Learn: How to paint galvanized steel.

Want to weather a new galvanized pail? Learn how to age galvanized metal yourself.