I was given eight 3 ft x 5 ft metal boxes I intend to use as veggie beds. What do you recommend I paint on the inside to keep the boxes from rusting away too soon and is safe to treat the inside of these metal boxes so that the veggies that people eat won't absorb anything toxic from either the paint or leaching from the metal? The boxes on the inside are presently coated with dirt, some paint, lots of rust and bare metal. SAMPLE - AFM SafeCoat, Transitional Primer (Int/Ext) Paints & Primers

Question

I was given eight 3 ft x 5 ft metal boxes I intend to use as veggie beds. What do you recommend I paint on the inside to keep the boxes from rusting away too soon and is safe to treat the inside of these metal boxes so that the veggies that people eat won't absorb anything toxic from either the paint or leaching from the metal? The boxes on the inside are presently coated with dirt, some paint, lots of rust and bare metal. SAMPLE - AFM SafeCoat, Transitional Primer (Int/Ext) Paints & Primers

Status: Open Nov 15, 2021 - 01:17 AM

1answer

Staff Answer

Nov 16, 2021 - 03:09 AM

If the metal is already rusty, you do not want to paint over rust. 1st step, remove all the rust. If you cannot remove the rust, then you absolutely do NOT want to be planting things you will be ingesting into a rusty planter. If you do not remove all the rust, the boxes will continue rusting, whether you paint over it or not. That rust will get into the soil, water, and plants.Throw the boxes away Steve. It's not worth it.