They make lovely planters painted. Definatly use one for metal gates. Hubby bought me an old copper preserving pan at a boot sale(thought I would make jam in it) so I got him to paint the inside and drill some holes in the bottom. ThenI polished the outside and put compost in and flowers in thier pots, look really smart. In case you are wondering, I still make jams and chutney but in my big pan with NO rusty bits.
cassie