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Rusting Nail Heads

ziggle | Posted in Construction Techniques on October 10, 2008 05:23am

Hi folks,

I own a condo that I purchased last year. I like the unit, but I am having problems with my siding. The builder usied standard framing nails to secure the trim around the windows and other areas. The nail heads are flush with the trim surface and are not galvanized. The nails heads are now rusting. The builder is refusing to take any action and I need to get this fixed. I have had the trim repainted, but the rusty nails keep showing through (yellow spots all over).

The local contractors basically are telling me that I need to replace all the trim and nail it on correctly. They are warning me that some of the trim is situated such that they may have to remove quite a bit of siding to replace it all.

Do I have any alternative but to replace all the trim on this house so that it does not looks so tacky?

Zig


Edited 10/9/2008 10:33 pm ET by ziggle

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Replies

  1. gfretwell | Oct 10, 2008 05:37am | #1

    Maybe you could nail this up with stainless nails and then set the old nails as deep as you can and putty up the holes.

  2. User avater
    coonass | Oct 10, 2008 05:58am | #2

    Zig,

    Set the nails, spray with Rustoleum, rag off overspray on trim, putty with Dap 33, paint.

    KK

  3. jimmiem | Oct 10, 2008 07:41pm | #3

    Why not add stainless nails as the other poster suggested and set and cover or remove the rusting nails?  If the trim is good why remove it?  Probable more work ($) for the contractors to rip it off and replace the trim as opposed to setting/covering nails or filling holes.  You going to do it yourself?

     

    1. ziggle | Oct 11, 2008 08:48pm | #6

      I am thinking about doing it myself. So I am willing to nibble away at it over time.

      Zig

      1. User avater
        Sphere | Oct 11, 2008 09:30pm | #7

        What Piff said, drive em in deeper and use a good sealer/primer..fill, reprime.

        Using an oil based filler such as Dap 33 glazing putty, will retard further oxidation.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

        Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

         

        They kill Prophets, for Profits.

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj_oEx4-Mc4

         

        The world of people goes up and

        down and people go up and down with

        their world; warriors have no business

        following the ups and downs of their

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        1. Henley | Oct 12, 2008 02:03am | #8

          Waite one stinkin minute!We can say "Retard" but we can't say G A Y ? That's some #### up #### right there.

          1. User avater
            Sphere | Oct 12, 2008 03:14am | #9

            You can spell and say anything ya want. How bad do you want to push it?

            I guess the rules are meant to be nudged, not broken.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

             

            They kill Prophets, for Profits.

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj_oEx4-Mc4

             

            The world of people goes up and

            down and people go up and down with

            their world; warriors have no business

            following the ups and downs of their

            fellow men.

      2. jimmiem | Oct 12, 2008 02:04pm | #11

        One more note.  I've replaced a lot of window trim and corner boards and it's a lot of work especially if you have to work off a ladder.  Unless the trim is really bad just take care of the nails.  Set the bad nails, spackle, add some stainless if necessary, paint...will look fine.

        Just my 2 cents.  

        1. ziggle | Oct 12, 2008 09:14pm | #12

          Thanks all. I will be setting the nails and filling. The advice given here was all excellent.Zig

      3. Tyr | Oct 12, 2008 09:55pm | #13

        Irritating that somebody would build something exterior that way.
        I have always had better luck fixing rusting steel with a product from Loctite named Extend. (I'm also a welder/fabricator) It's a rust neutralizer. It used to come in plastic bottles (when I wanted spray) and now comes only in spray (when I would like a gallon liquid). The rust turns black as Extend sets up. You can do just as advised above then punch a hole in some paper, put the hole over the rusty nail, shake & spray the Extend. Fill and paint. TyrPS I have used Extend to coat my entire truck bed and then painted over it with automotive paint w/hardner. Still good.

  4. User avater
    MarkH | Oct 11, 2008 04:33am | #4

    Try getting some "aluminum" paint and covering the nails with it. Repaint he trim and see if that stops the problem. Make sure the aluminum paint is "non leafing" or states that it can be overcoated. Leafing aluminum paint does not hold paint because it contains stearates. I use Rustoleum "stops rust" aluminum paint.

  5. Piffin | Oct 11, 2008 06:17am | #5

    The builder was an idiot!

    set the nails 1/8" with the nail set and hammer.

    seal with Bin or kilz shellac based sealer product.
    Fill holes over nail heads with exterior spackle.

    Same again with pigmented shellac

    paint

     

     

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  6. IdahoDon | Oct 12, 2008 04:32am | #10

    The rust showing through the paint will be taken care of with a stain blocking primer.  As others have said I'd set them below the surface and fill, but even if you don't just keep the paint in tact and always use a stain blocking primer.

    The latest painter who repainted your trim really should have known to use the correct type of primer this go around.

    As for having to replace all the trim, just think back not all that long ago when none of the nails would have been galvanized.  Good paint is the key to keeping it looking good.

    Good luck

     

    Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.

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