Sand off any spots of rust that have built up on the metal.
Remove any further contaminants with Xylene and a rag. Xylene can be purchased at a hardware store.
Further wipe off contaminants with denatured alcohol, making sure the metal is completely clean. Do not use isopropyl alcohol.
Use a hair dryer to make sure the metal is completely dry prior to sealing or painting. Let the metal cool prior to a followup application.
Seal your sculpture by pouring Everbrite sealant into a metal pan. Use an old T-shirt as an applicator. Saturate the applicator in the sealant and gently squeeze out excess.
Apply sealant in smooth, even strokes. Wipe out drips or runs with the applicator. Most surfaces will require two coats. If you are painting on raw metal, the job may require up to four coats.
Paint directly on the surface of your sculpture. Some metal paints by Hammerite may need to be brushed on, while others are aerosol. If your painting is detailed with many colors, painting with appropriate size brushes and liquid paint is the best choice.