How To Spray Paint Galvanized Sheet Metal

The problem with painting galvanised metal is that the surface when new is very shiny and smooth making it difficult for paint to stick to the surface.

How to spray paint galvanized sheet metal.

The enamels in alkyd paints can react with the slick zinc finish on a galvanized steel surface leading to poor adhesion and peeling. In fact roughly 69 of steel is recycled in north america each year. The painting process is actually very straightforward because the surface of galvanized steel is relatively smooth and consistent. Avoid using alkyd based paints such as spray paint on galvanized steel.

Galvanized steel is a great material to use for a variety of tools products and projects and it s environmentally friendly. Galvanized metal is difficult to paint because it s coated with a layer of oil to prevent white rust. Alkyd and oil based paints may seem to stick at first but the oily layer eventually sheds the paint. The acid in the vinegar will act to etch the metal and help the paint adhere.

The surface that has been painted. Once the metal has dried dampen a cloth with white vinegar and wipe the surface down. Paint that has lost its adhesion to a galvanized metal substrate e g. The choices of paint for galvanized metal will depend upon both the application and service environment.

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. Possible cause new galvanized metal a product used to make corrugated sheets gutters and downspouts is usually smooth and is coated with either a layer of oil to prevent white rust or is passivated.