Painting Sheet Metal

Sheet aluminum must be pre treated through abrasion to help encourage it to accept paint.

Painting sheet metal.

The acid in the vinegar will act to etch the metal and help the paint adhere. Choose a type of paint you may or may not need to prime the surface depending on the type of paint you choose. Wear gloves and a dust mask while you work. Once the metal has dried dampen a cloth with white vinegar and wipe the surface down.

If painting over lightly rusted or bare metal i e. For best results keep the can parallel to the sheet metal surface and spray in a back and forth motion over the surface. No rust remained after wire brushing it then top it with a water or oil based interior exterior rust preventative metal primer available for. To properly prepare new metal surfaces use mineral spirits to remove grease and apply a rust inhibitive primer before painting.

Spray in a quick smooth and even pattern until the surface is covered. Painted sheet metal gives any roofing project a highly customized look without sacrificing durability and performance. Working around paint and rust particles can be harmful so choose a well ventilated area where you can put a drop sheet down underneath your metal project. Acrylic latex paint like most types of metal surfaces sheet aluminum is hard slick and nonporous.

Paint can add a custom look to almost anything but it won t properly adhere to a smooth metal surface without preparation. The acidity of the vinegar will react with the metal treating the surface to promote paint adhesion. 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. This makes it highly resistant to paint adhesion.

Hold the spray paint can 12 to 24 inches 30 4 to 60 9 cm from the surface. Before painting shiny sheet metal abrade it with fine sandpaper or steel. Keep a damp cloth nearby to wipe away paint dust and rust particles periodically while you work. 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.

Apply spray paint to the sheet metal.