I've got a pile of 20l drums that I've cut open on the top for plants. Now need to prep & paint them, what are the best products/processes that will last?

More to the point what was in them?

If its flammable cut carefully...

Id stihl saw them open..
But youd need to roll the edges over...

Any out door gloss. or synthetic based paint would be my choice.

David

David, as per the topic , they had "fuel" inside :)

As the drums have a raised lip cutting them open wasn't a problem - used a jig saw.

WRT the paint, no other prepping required? I don't want it flaking off after a month or two.

Good going over with a wire brush, then some metal primer would be my guess before gloss...

Exactly what I was hoping to avoid - lots of work. That'll teach me to suggest a use for all the "useless drums".

just wash them out... shouldnt need cleaning...

David

David - I think chiark is talking about the exterior of the drum - I know I am.

Yep - I'm just thinking of the instructions on the back of the gloss can that I'm using at the moment, that's all. I think you might need a base coat of primer because the gloss won't key very well to the bare metal :(

I could be horribly wrong tho :)

ah... ill go back to sleep... have them shot blasted and powder coated then... or buy plant pots.

David, I'm married, I don't need more pots, SHE on the other hand... :)

Hammerite, comes in quite a few smooth colours these days, get it a Homebase, pretty sure it has a rust inhibitor, check on the tin.

Andy

Thanks, does it also need prepping of the metal though?

A quick scrub down with a wire brush does it from memory, its tough stuff.
Many years ago I got a couple of cars with rust holes in the floorpan through MOT's by laminating rags onto the metal using hamerite and undersealing over it. Lasted for years!! shame the rest of the car didn't:)

Swan, not sure if you can get Hammerite over there, but their web site has tips and stuff:

http://www.hammerite.com/dFinity/hammerite

Thanks Chris, is available if a bit expensive.