Painting Galvanized Sheet Metal

Here s how to paint galvanized metal.

Painting galvanized sheet metal.

Once the metal has dried dampen a cloth with white vinegar and wipe the surface down. Wipe the galvanized surface down with white vinegar. The first thing he always did was wash the surface of the metal with a mild acid. Go over the metal with a wire brush to remove any oxidation.

Prime the surface with a primer made for metal. Rinse the metal and let it dry completely for several hours. The acid in the vinegar will act to etch the metal and help the paint adhere. Polish the metal with ammonia and sand any rough areas.

Clean new galvanized metal surfaces with a water based cleaner degreaser to remove any oil or and contaminants. Rinse the metal with a weak solution of water and ammonia and allow it to dry. Remove any handles or other attachments from the metal. The secret to painting galvanized steel is white vinegar.

White vinegar is both effective and non toxic so it is much safer to use than your average industrial solvent. The vinegar is a mild acid which acts to etch the galvanized coating so the paint will stick. The enamels in alkyd paints can react with the slick zinc finish on a galvanized steel surface leading to poor adhesion and peeling. If galvanized metal is not prepared and painted properly it will tend to peel over time.

How to paint galvanized metal. Avoid using alkyd based paints such as spray paint on galvanized steel. Clean the surface with warm or hot soapy water. Wash the metal thoroughly with hot soapy water.

Rinse with water and let completely dry. For the most dependable results look for paints that are formulated specifically to bond to galvanized steel. All you have to do is simply apply the vinegar to a clean rag and then wipe down the galvanized surface.