Surface preparation is key to ensuring the longevity of metal paint and other coatings. Before painting any surface, be it metal or masonry, following a few simple surface preparation tips such as thorough cleaning of the surface to be painted and applying the right primer can make a huge difference in the long run. In the absence of appropriate surface preparation, even premium or advanced metal primers or metal enamel paints may end up losing their sheen. Continuing on the subject, we present a simple list of five things to do before painting metal surfaces. Take a look.
1. Clean the Metal Surface
Prior to painting, metal surfaces must be free from any dirt, grease, old paint, and rust. Use appropriate sandpaper or any other scraping tool to remove dirt, grease, and other deposits from the metal surface. Mineral spirits come in handy when dealing with heavy deposits of grease. Alternatively, cleaning with a mild detergent solution can also help wash away persistent dirt.
2. Eliminate Loose or Peeling Paint
When applying new metal paint, any old paint that is loose or is peeling away must be completely removed. Hand wire brushing, scraping, and sanding are a few manual methods for removing such paint deposits. While methods such as power tool cleaning may yield quick results, they may also end up polishing the metal surface, leading to potential adhesion problems.
3. Get Rid of Rust Deposits
Rust interferes with the adhesiveness of paint, making it important to get rid of it before applying the metal paint. Light rusting can be restored with the help of brushing, sanding, and applying an appropriate high-quality primer with rust-inhibition properties. Applying any paint over a rusted surface will also end up damaging and lead to the rusting of the metal paint itself.
4. Apply the Right Primer
Priming is one of the most important steps prior to the application of metal paint. While a water-based primer is not to be applied on metal surfaces, other primer options such as rust-inhibiting primers, galvanized primers, and iron oxide primers are more suitable options. Applying the primer immediately after surface preparation can help keep away flash rusting or dust accumulation.
Wrap Up
Whether you are applying a metal gate paint or a metal door paint, the precautions and steps to be observed remain the same. Clean the metal surface for any dust or grease, eliminate any loose or peeling paint, and get rid of rust. Finally, apply a coating of primer, after which the metal paint can be applied. Known for its rich legacy and best-in-class products, Shalimar Paints is one of India’s leading paint brands offering a range of paints such as the metal door paint and enamel paint. Discuss your requirements with our experts at 18001036509. You can also fill out our contact form and we will take it from there.