Painting Galvanized Steel

Galvanized steel is coated with a thin layer of oil and passivator that protects it from water and weather damage.

Painting galvanized steel.

Galvanized steel is one of the most durable metals on the market and is used for everything from industrial structures to playground swing sets. Now it is peeling off in large chunks. However when specified protective coatings can be successfully applied for enhanced barrier protection and aesthetic needs. That s great for preventing rust but it also prevents solid paint adhesion.

If you have a kitchen then you probably already have this handy solution. I can t seem to get a definitive answer from the. The secret to painting galvanized steel is white vinegar. I have galvanized steel railings that were painted a few years ago with two coats of epoxy paint.

Painting galvanized steel is a quick and inexpensive project that anyone can tackle themselves it only requires a little bit of paint and primer and a few hours of labor most of which is drying time. Galvanized steel also requires special surface treatments before painting. Despite the fact that this preparation process has been available for some considerable time t wash is still generally considered to be the best pre treatment method for painting galvanized steel. One of its major drawbacks however is its susceptibility to corrosion luckily properly cleaning and painting galvanized steel will keep the metal from wearing down.

Many people have applied paint over a galvanized surface only to see it peel off within months. Galvanized steel is less prone to rust since it has a special zinc coating which needs to be thoroughly cleaned and roughened so that the primer paint will adhere to it properly. An advantage of painting over hot dip galvanized rather than bare steel is that no underfilm creep occurs as illustrated below. All you have to do is simply apply the vinegar to a clean rag and then wipe down the galvanized surface.

Directions for painting galvanized metal properly much of the galvanized steel installed in the environment is left uncoated. White vinegar is both effective and non toxic so it is much safer to use than your average industrial solvent. In outdoor and some indoor exposure conditions galvanized steel will form a loose coating of zinc oxide on its surface. The problem with painting galvanized steel products including hot dipped is the waxy or oily material applied at the mill.