In this work, 2-picolinicacid, 2-hydroxypyridine and 2-aminopyridine were used as rust converters to pre-process a metal surface. The results showed that the rust layers of A3 steel treated by pyridine derivatives are more compact and homogeneous than the untreated rust layer. The corrosion rate of the mild steel treated by 2-hydroxypyridine is lower, and the impedance is the highest compared to those of the rust layers treated by 2-picolinicacid and 2-aminopyridine as well as the untreated one. The epoxy-polyvinylbutyral (EP-PVB) coating was directly painted onto an untreated rust layer and those treated by pyridine derivatives. The adhesion of EP-PVB coatings directly painted onto the treated rust layers is much higher than that directly painted onto the untreated surface. The coatings also provide corrosion resistance, demonstrating good performance after the coatings were immersed in 3.5% NaCl solution for 2 days or 30 days.