Oil Paint On Sheet Metal

You can use oil paints on sheet metal by proper cleaning preparing and priming the sheet metal surface.

Oil paint on sheet metal.

By painting aluminum you can easily breathe new life into dull siding create unique metal art pieces for the home or resurface faded outdoor. Keep in mind that exposing water based paint directly to metal can rust it so apply an oil based primer before application. Metal surfaces require specialized primer and paint for good paint adhesion. Clean new galvanized metal surfaces with a water based cleaner degreaser to remove any oil or and contaminants.

Once the metal has dried dampen a cloth with white vinegar and wipe the surface down. Spray paint cans offer more complete coverage of irregular surfaces. Prepainted metallic surfaces can be treated almost like any other basic latex or oil painted surface. The acid in the vinegar will act to etch the metal and help the paint adhere.

Prime the sheet metal using a special rust inhibitor metal paint. Wait at least 24 hours for the primer to dry. Some people use acrylic latex paint which is not designed specifically for galvanized metal so you will want to prime the surface before painting. Apply a wire brush and scraper combo to the metal first to remove all loose paint and rust or to scuff up the surface of aluminum or galvanized metal.

However if you want to paint over prepainted metal you re in luck. Paints that are made for galvanized surfaces will require less prep work and will adhere better than other kinds of paint. Prepainted metal accepts new paint without much extra prep work. Now fill a clean paint tray with an oil based paint designed for metal.

The primer also adds a layer of rust protective coating to the metal and keeps the paint from peeling. Prime the sheet metal with an oil based primer or a rust resistant latex primer. The sheet metal has to be free of corrosion rust and other debris. Brush or spray on the primer.

Alkyd and oil based paints may seem to stick at first but the oily layer eventually sheds the paint. Do not use alkyd based paints or oil based primer. Repeat as necessary to remove all the rust before priming. Wipe the metal clean with a damp cloth or sponge to remove all rust debris and paint dust and check for any remaining rust.

Finally wait at least 12 hours to let the paint dry before handling the metal. Use flat white or flat off white. A primer sometimes referred to as an undercoat is a preparatory substance that allows paint to adhere better to surfaces. After removing loose paint first apply an orbital sander using 60 grit sandpaper working up to 100 grit sandpaper for a smooth finish.

Galvanized metal is difficult to paint because it s coated with a layer of oil to prevent white rust.