k0ua
Epic Contributor
There are times when I actually use Rustoleum "close" color paints and with great success. But before fore that, I almost always use Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer. It works. And for certain ground engaging items or things that things will be for sale, I often use a different then OEM finish approach.
For example, a rusty old harrow will get half azzed brushed, washed with a stiff brush and soap and then Rusty Metal primed. Then I may spray on a Rustoleum paint that closely matches the color. I do this because it will take a lot of paint and why waste a LOT of good paint on something soon for sale or will get dragged through the dirt in 20 minutes.
After that Rustoleum color, I skim coat the item with the real McCoy OEM paint. It only takes a little bit. I may not hit all the nooks and crannies but your eye is never drawn to them and the item then looks OEM in correct color and it saves a lot of paint. I've done this for 20 or more years and no one has ever known. Well, I guess they do now.
In one instance, I was painting a 16' harrow that was to be sold. It had all sorts of parts and was going to take a lot of paint. Rather than OEM Case-IH, I got a gallon of red Rustoleum that looked close. Then I skimmed it with maybe a thinned half quart of OEM Case-IH Red. Everyone that saw it said how stunning it was. I've even skim coated smaller implements with a spray can with same end result. Anyway, it works for me.
Now, dang it 'dogs, that makes a LOT of sense.. The kitty is out of the bag though, every one is going to really start eyeballing your stuff from now on.