Painting metal surfaces require products, tools, and techniques unique to painting wood. But just like with wood (and other surfaces), adequate preparation is the key to achieving the quality and longevity of metal paints and coatings. Every licensed painter near me knows that even the most premium paints or advanced coating technologies will not be able to hold up on surfaces that are not adequately cleaned and prepared.
Metals typically have smooth and slick surfaces, making painting them particularly challenging. Fortunately, good prep work and suitable primer ensure that the paint bonds well on metal surfaces.
Following a few simple preparation steps before painting – from cleaning to applying the right primer – can make a significant difference in the long run.
The following five steps ensure a successful metal paint job:
1) Clean the surface
Before painting, make sure that the metal surface is free from dust, dirt, grease, rust, and peeling old paint. There are many ways to prepare metal surfaces for painting. For a painted surface in good condition, start by wiping away dust and dirt with a clean rag, sanding the surface lightly with sandpaper, and applying mineral spirits to ensure good adhesion.
Use mineral spirits to cut out heavy deposits of grease. Another way to remove persistent dirt is to wash it away with a mild detergent solution or a commercial product to clean painted metal surfaces.
2) Get rid of loose or peeling paint
Any old loose or peeling paint can undermine a good paint job and should be removed entirely. Do this manually by using a hand wire brush, sanding, or scraping. Professionals opt for other methods, such as power tool cleaning and chemical-based rust remover, to make the job quicker. However, one disadvantage of using power tools is that they can polish metal surfaces, leading to potential adhesion problems.
3) Remove rust deposits
Rust prevents the paint from adhering effectively, so it’s crucial to remove it before applying the surface with the metal paint. For a lightly rusted metal surface, you can restore it to its original state with the help of brushing, sanding, and applying a quality rust-inhibitive primer.
4) Prime the surface before painting
While priming can be an option for wood surfaces depending on their condition, it is essential to prepare metal surfaces for paint, especially if they tend to get exposed to moisture. Latex (water-based) primers are not appropriate for metal surfaces. Instead, the more suitable options are rust-inhibiting primers, galvanized primers, iron oxide primers, and zinc chromate primers. Galvanized primers are appropriate for preparing certain metals (e.g., aluminum) that prevent paint from adhering to the surface. Iron oxide and zinc chromate primers can be used on most metals.
After cleaning the surface, prime it immediately. It is imperative to prime the metal surfaces right away after cleaning them to prevent dust and dirt from gathering and the flash rust (rust that can begin within minutes) from forming on the surface.
5) Paint the surface
First of all, it’s essential to determine the type of paint most suitable for metal surfaces.
You may have probably wondered whether you can use latex paints on metal surfaces. The answer is, yes, you can paint metal surfaces with latex paints. They adhere well, dry fast, and are easy to apply. But latex paints have some drawbacks, such as being less durable than oil-based paints. Since they are water-based, latex paints can cause rust on metals, especially if they’re not primed beforehand.
If you’re looking for better results, you should instead choose paints specifically manufactured for metal surfaces (like enamel paints) or multi-surface paints.
Oil paints are generally regarded as the superior choice for painting metal surfaces. They give consistent coverage and a durable, long-lasting finish. Oil paints are also stain-resistant and easy to clean.
Painting metal surfaces can be tricky. But as long as you use the proper tools and follow prep work procedures, achieving a newly painted metal surface won’t be a long shot. Or, if you don’t want to bother with all the work, hire a licensed painter near me. Their proficiency in various painting techniques allows these professional painters to complete a variety of interior and exterior paint projects according to their client’s specifications.