Refinishing a METAL TRIKE

I like the sanders that you hook on to an electric drill/screwdriver. A little rustoleum and you are in business!
The fun thing, since this is a second hander, let the kids help by picking out color, maybe doing a few sprays - really let them have a go at it:)

Take it to a small, local, individually owned auto body shop. They likely will do a complete job for next to nothing. We had a metal swing set that was my great grandmothers and took it to the body shop that used to repair our cars when we were young and crazy ( I have three brothers, lots of body damage) and he totally sand blasted, filled the rust and painted with automotive paint for $200.00. It is a large set and was in bad shape, I would think a trike would be real simple. As I write this I think of even an automotive trade school may do it for free as training. Old stuff is cool, glad to see you trying to fix it.

1. Wash the entire trike with soap and warm water. I would use Dawn detergent to remove any grease.
2. Allow the trike to dry in the sun and/or towel dry it.
3. Use a metal brush to remove the bulk of the rust and then I would sand the entire trike with a fine grit sand paper to smooth and to degloss the surface.
4. Wash the entire trike again to remove any dust.
5. Tape off the wheels and any other features I would not want paint on. The wheels could be covered by a plastic bag and then taped in place to use less tape.
6. Use a rope to hang the trike by a wheel rod or some other taped feature. The rope will allow you to string the trike from a tree branch or something similar and also to move around the trike while painting. I would try to find a location which is open so you don’t have to worry about ventilation.
7. Now it is ready to be painted. I would use spray paint since the curves and uneven surfaces would be a touch of a nightmare to hand paint smoothly and evenly in my opinion. Use several light, sweeping coats for the best finish. I would look for a metal paint preferably a primer/paint combination to save my efforts.

I don't think that's too much work but then again we like refinishing pieces for a second or third go. We find these projects fun. In terms of cost if you don’t have the materials (wire brush, sand paper, tape, paint), then there won’t be much of a cost savings as compared to buying a new trike. The project could easily be tackled in one day. There will parts of the project where it sits to dry so it won't be too bad overall. Good luck.

I bought a radio flyer trike from craigslist for $7 six years ago. When I got there the lady said it was so cheap because it was rusted. I was about to thank her for her time until she pulled it out. It was in terrific shape and had three little rust spots on it. I sanded the spots and then spray painted over them. (Radio Flyer tells you what color spray paint matches their colors on the website). It took about 15 minutes. Six years later that little trike still looks brand new.

Depending on the amount/penetration of the rust. You could sand/scuff it and then spray with a Rustoleum or Krylon paint. I wouldn't brush it though.
Another option, depending on your 'green' spirit.
Find someone that does sandblasting, this process will take the trike down to bare metal all the way around. Then you can start from scratch.
Hope it works out.

I wouldn't worry about it, if it works fine and the rust is not jagged and making the kids at risk for getting cut I would let them use it anyway.

I would use a mask while sanding it though. Airborne particles of rust would not be nice to the sinus' and mouth/throat.

Depending on how much rust I would just hand sand it. The electric sanders can go too fast and then you are sanding away medal. Rustoleum would be best for painting medal, you can try the spray cans but they are messy and will cause drips if you are not used to using them. I am sure you could find wheels, a seat or any parts you need on line.

It's so much fun to refinish a bike/trike yourself. First you need to sand it down to the bare metal. I cheat and just sand down the rust, but my dad used to sand down the whole thing. Depending on the color you might have to spray it with some primer to cover over dark colors. Choose a color you like in a rust proof spray paint like Rust-o-leum. You can get paint that already has a nice glossy finish and just spray paint the bike/trike in a well ventilated area like outside. You can even add details with stencils. You can also look up how to do it on Youtube. Have fun.

sandpaper & spray Rustoleum....that's all you need. Oh, & be sure to wet wipe the grit off before painting.

If you don't want to use it, you could place it in your landscaping. I have a collection of antique & vintage bikes/trikes scattered throughout my yard. They're adorable with flowers & vines growing around them!