Removing rust from metal shed before painting faux wood finish

This metal shed was rusted badly and we decided to remove the rust first before adding our faux wood finish to it.

We wanted to avoid using toxic chemicals so we used baking soda mixed with lemon juice. We applied it to the rust with a chip brush and then let it dry overnight.

Then we took a wet abrasive sponge and began using some elbow juice to remove the rust. We were quite impressed at how the rust came off.

Here's the video we made showing the steps we used. We will post in another blog, the video and steps to add the faux wood finish to the shed.

Removing the rust off the shed first will add the extra durability to the faux bois (french for fake wood). Hope this helps any of our customers who need to remove rust from surfaces before adding the base coat for faux finish.

Another redo of bad faux wood painting

Well, it seems I am getting more calls to redo bad faux wood painted doors.  I sure would have loved to remember to take the before picture but since I have another person who does the sanding, priming and base coat painting, I forgot to ask him to take the before picture.

The person who had done the previous faux painting used oil based gels.  Not even a year later, the garage doors were totally faded and badly cracked. What is really sad is that it didn't even get sun on it!  The front double doors were cracked all over but not faded.  Go figure.  As I have written on my previous posts, you need to use a water based, exterior base coat.  You can use an eco friendly paint even though it's not as necessary since you are working outdoors. Oil paint is flexible, therefore the heat will make it brittle and cause it to get dull and crack. By using a paint conditioner as my faux painting glaze, I know I have a finish that will last.

Anyway, here's the pics of how the doors came out. I tried out a couple of new tools and that's why you see more grain than I usually make for faux mahogany. The client was thrilled and said the doors were beautiful.  Especially about the faux grain.  I think these are the tools I will be making to sell with the Faux Wood DVD.  I adjusted the lightness and color on the close up picture of the grain so you can see what it looks like. Any comments are welcomed.

I am going to have to include a faux painting article about this on my website. Or add it to my faux painting tips page.

Faux wood painted on single garage door

Faux wood painted on double front doors

Faux wood closeup of the grain made with new tools