A Done with That® Project by Koper, America’s #1 Connected ContractorTM, Free Augmented Article©
Painting your tools, metal furniture and household fittings is the kind of project that provides essential protection from the elements — and adds a lively splash of color.
Rust on iron and steel, grayish- white corrosion on aluminum, and tarnish on other metals are all caused by the same thing: a chemical reaction between bare metal and the oxygen in air and water. After even brief exposure to air and water, unprotected metal starts to oxidize. Although the early stages can pass unnoticed, the effect will soon be obvious. Thick pieces of metal may show only tarnishing or surface rust, but sheet metal — the kind most commonly used in products for the home — may quickly be weakened beyond repair.
The best solution is prevention; the best prevention is usually several coats of high-quality paint.
Careful preparation is essential for any painting job. New unit painted metal should always be cleaned of oil or other rust inhibitors applied by manufacturers.
The first coat on an unpainted surface should be a primer selected specifically for the material and conditions in question. Priming paints contain agents that bond well to metal surfaces, and many also have rust-inhibiting or corrosion-resisting ingredients formulated for specific metals.
Previously painted surfaces must not only be cleaned but prepared so the new paint bonds properly to the old. First, blistered or flaking paint should be cornpletely scraped off. All traces of corrosion are removed with sandpaper, steel wool or a wire brush. Severe cases may call for a commercial chemical deoxidizing agent. Bare metal areas need to be primed as if the metal were new.
If the existing paint is smooth and shiny, it should be roughened with sandpaper or steel wool. Each coat of paint, whether brushed or sprayed on, needs to dry thoroughly before the next coat is applied. For good paint adhesion, every coat except the last one must be sanded lightly before being recoated.
Keys to Success
It is important to use a paint intended for the particular metal and the specific conditions to which it will be exposed. For example, a high-quality, interior-grade metal enamel cannot be expected to protect the sheet-steel door on a beach shed exposed to salt air.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
Tools
1. Power sander
2. Sponge
3. Bucket
4. Rubber gloves
5. Wire brush
6. Shave hook
7. Utility brush
8. Paintbrushes
Materials
Detergent
Primer
Paint
Wet-and-dry sandpaper
Paint solvent
Rags
Safety goggles
Mineral spirits
PLANNING
Identify the kind of metal that needs to be painted.
Buy the right kind of primer and paint for the metal.
Set up a place to clean and prepare the work to be painted and a dust-free, well-ventilated place to do the painting.
Protecting against rust
Rust prevention means creating a va¬por barrier to keep air and water from contacting unprotected iron and steel. Oxygen, however, can pen¬etrate through the pores of ordinary paint, starting rust where you cannot see it.
The best defense is a multilayered barrier. The first layer is a rust-inhibit¬ing primer applied to clean metal that is absolutely free of oil and grease.
At least two coats of paint are ap¬plied over the primer. After each coat has dried and before the next coat is applied, the surface.
Step by step
1. Prepare metal surfaces, removeing signs of flaked paint, rust or corrosion from previously painted work.
2. Clean metal of dirt and grease.
3. Brush or Spray on one or more coats of paint.
Painting rusted surfaces
All flaking rust from the piece with a shave hook or any hard-metal scraper.
a steel brush, remove the surface rust. Be sure to scrape off visible rust.
a utility brush to clean the surface. If the metal is dirty or greasy, wash it with mineral spirits.
Select the proper primer for the type of metal. Apply evenly and allow it to dry before painting.
Apply several thin coats of paint, letting each layer dry completely before applying the next.
Tips
Paint remover works even better on metal than on wood. Use it to remove stubborn, accumulated layers of paint before repainting.
Paint rusted iron immediately after scraping away the rust. Iron oxidizes quickly and new rust can form overnight.
After cleaning metal with degreasers or mineral spirits, handle with a clean cloth, not your bare hands, which can leave oily residue.
Repainting a rusted surface
1. Use a shave hook to scrape off the rust and bubbled paint, which is rust in an early form.
2. Use a steel brush to remove surface rust. Follow with an abrasive cloth to clean the metal.
3. Select the correct primer and apply evey. After it dries, brush on several thin coats of paint.
4. Repainting a metal surface
5. Scrape off loose paint with a shave hook. It is not necessary to remove all paint.
6. For larger surfaces, using a power sander saves time. Wear work gloves to protect your hands.
7. With a steel brush scrape paint off hard to reach places and smooth the surface for painting.
8. Use mineral sprits to clean of oils, dirt and grease off the surface. Be sure to wear gloves
9. Scuff enameled surface so the paint will adhere. Use sand paint soaked with mineral spirts.
10. Apply sever thin coats of paint. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next coat.
Painting galvanized steel
Clean galvanized metal — metal electroplated with zinc — with a de¬tergent solution, mineral spirits or a degreasing agent.
For best results, use a special primer containing zinc. Follow with one or more coats of paint.
For exterior use, special one-coat paints are available. These paints are formulated for galvanized sur¬faces such as metal roofing. They are applied thickly and need to be reapplied every few years.
Caution
While scraping metal, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from flying rust and paint chips.
Lead-based paints are poisonous. Before repainting metal objects such as gutters and downspouts, have the existing.
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