Metal barrel

[Tim McCarthy]

I have an old solid metal pot (75cm in diameter and 65cm deep )which has a bit of rust on the inside but I would like to turn it into a barrel pond.What is the least toxic way to coat the inside to prevent further rust and can anyone recommend what plants I should be putting in to make it attractive both to me and to wildlife. Many thanks in advance

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome! Would love to see a picture of your pot! It can help give us ideas!

Let’s see, that’s about 30” by a little over 2’ deep. Are you planning to have any fish or is this just for plants?

I guess coating the inside would depend on what kind of metal it is — not my area of expertise, BUT there are a lot of others on here who I’m sure can help you!

You might want to consider lining the inside of it with a piece of pond liner. Depending on what the top part of the barrel/pot looks like, you might be able to “glue” the liner at the top to hold it in place. Again, pictures would help.

 

[Tim McCarthy]

here is a pic. it's actually an old Irish potato pot that was dug up from a field a few years back. I coated it with Hammerite metal paint about 10 years ago to preserve it but now i'd like it as a water feature. Any suggestions welcome

 

[Panzer13]

You will need to remove all of the rust before you paint. I would use a marine grade paint. The type used to paint boats below the waterline. Just remember that the paint will fail in time. If possible I would use some sort of liner. Maybe even put a plastic pot inside of your metal pot.

 

[Tim McCarthy]

You will need to remove all of the rust before you paint. I would use a marine grade paint. The type used to paint boats below the waterline. Just remember that the paint will fail in time. If possible I would use some sort of liner. Maybe even put a plastic pot inside of your metal pot.

Thanks very much for the advice

 

[Panzer13]

Thanks very much for the advice

You are most welcome.

 

[sissy]

The only thing about painting some thing that holds water inside and collects the heat from outside is that paint will have a tendency to peel inside .Condensation causes it .

 

[Jhn]

He would definitely need to line the inside of the tub, if painted with marine grade paint/ bottom paint for boats. That paint is designed to keep marine life from attaching or boring into the hull of boats, so it is toxic.