Nail Head Rusting

Reddish-brown stains on the paint surface.

Possible Cause

• Non-galvanised iron nails have begun to rust, causing bleed-through the top coat.
• Non-galvanised iron nails have not been countersunk and filled over.
• Galvanised nail heads have begun to rust after sanding or excessive weathering.

Solution

When painting new exterior construction where non-galvanised nails have been used, it is advisable to first countersink the nail heads, then caulk them with a top quality, water-based all acrylic caulk. Each nail head area should be spot primed, then painted with a quality latex coating. When repainting exteriors where nail head rusting has occurred, wash off rust stains, sand the nail heads, then follow the same surface preparation procedures as for new construction.

Images courtesy of the Paint Quality Institute from Dow Coating Materials