Old Gate

Hi! I don't know if anyone has mentioned this before, but I just saw the cutest idea in a mag.
They used an old chain-link gate as a trellis, a lo-and-behold, I had one from our old dog run just sitting in the back yard.

Cool! Now, I need to decide where to put it, what to grow on it, and if I should paint it or not.
Does anyone know if it's safe to paint and then grow a small climber on? Would rust-oleum be OK?

Its not in bad shape or anything, I just think it would be really pretty painted lt. blue.
-Christie