Clear coating rusty steel

Google searches show no definitive answers to this question so I thought I'd ask here given there are plenty of steel experts. I'm in a salty, very susceptible to rust area. My back (timber) pergola is falling down and I need to replace it. I'm interested in an I-beam frame. I've got the all important approval from Mrs Legion and I showed her some pictures of some secondhand I-beams that are rusty. She said she kind of liked the rusty look. In my experience with steel I clean it to bare and paint it properly to try to prevent rust. I wouldn't mind clear-coated rust but the I can't find an answer as to whether it's possible to do it effectively. Happy to use some kind of specialised product and do it once, do it right because once it's up I won't want to do yearly maintenance (e.g. with some oil coating or something).

Some things I could try are kbs diamond finish clear coat, kbs maxx (in the US, not in the Australian market that I can find yet), hammerite clear, some others. I've got good spray guns so ideally something I can spray in the driveway or backyard, i.e. not some specialised 2-pak that I'm not allowed to/not able to easily spray.

I'm also happy to do multiple coats as long as they're all clear. If I'm going to cover up the rust with something opaque then I might as well do it properly and clean to bare steel and etch, prime and topcoat.

Anyone achieved good results preserving a rusty look?


Read the full thread at metalworkforums.com...

Clear coating rusty steel