Prepare Sheet Metal For Painting

You don t need to get down to bare shiny metal just clean off the flakes and powdery surface rust that prevent paint from adhering.

Prepare sheet metal for painting.

Before painting on metal prepare the surface so it s clean and rust free. Some people use acrylic latex paint which is not designed specifically for galvanized metal so you will want to prime the surface before painting. For more tips including how to prepare your galvanized steel before painting it read on. Once the metal has dried dampen a cloth with white vinegar and wipe the surface down.

It should appear dull rather than shiny. To properly prepare new metal surfaces use mineral spirits to remove grease and apply a rust inhibitive primer before painting. Inspect the surface carefully to make sure it s completely coated with the paint source. When the paint is dry apply your second coat on top.

The basic steps for surface prep are. Create a rough surface on the sheet metal. Using high grit sandpaper or steel wool rub the surface of the sheet metal. If possible avoid subjecting your steel to pressure heavy rain or significant changes in temperature for the first month after painting it to allow it to fully harden.

The acid in the vinegar will act to etch the metal and help the paint adhere. Before you begin read the labels on all products you re using making sure they are suitable for the type of metal and compatible with each other. Even when fully cured metal glaze sands much softer than the surrounding rage gold. Apply the metal paint which should be the same brand as the primer according to the product directions.

For painted surfaces that are in sound condition remove dust with a clean dry cloth de gloss the surface with light sanding and wipe with mineral spirits to ensure good adhesion. Read the directions on the container of metal paint. If the sheet metal is smooth to the touch you will need to texturize it before painting. On older galvanized metal surfaces where the zinc coating has begun breaking down known as white rust use a wire brush or fine sandpaper to remove the chalky film before cleaning it.

See all 28 photos. By addressing the deeper sand scratches this way we re actually skipping a step. Let your paint dry for 3 4 hours. Let the paint dry according to the directions.

Analyze the surface of the sheet metal. Do not use alkyd based paints or oil based primer. To prep and paint metal you ll need shop rags acetone scuffing pad self etching primer and your choice of spray paint. This will allow the paint to adhere to the metal.

Texturize the surface of the sheet metal. Paints that are made for galvanized surfaces will require less prep work and will adhere better than other kinds of paint.