How to Paint Metallic

If you’re thinking of refurbishing a metal item with a fresh coat of paint or repainting a metal surface, trust that it’s doable. This is pretty easy work! Plus, refurbished items don’t require you to keep the old paint color, so you can get creative. If you treat metal surfaces properly before painting, you will complete the task with ease.

Table of Contents

Clean metal surfaces

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Work in a ventilated place. Paint dust and rust can be toxic to workers, so choose a well-ventilated area where you can spread a protective cloth underneath the object to be painted. Use gloves and dust mask when working.

Keep a clean rag nearby to occasionally wipe away paint, dust, and rust while you work. This is safer than leaving it to the end.
A dust mask is a mandatory means of ensuring safety when working with paints that may contain lead.

Remove old paint from metal surfaces. Use a wire brush to scrape off the paint on the metal, remember to wipe away dirt and paint dust with a damp rag while working. ^{[1] X Research Source} If desired, you can use sandpaper to scrub the paint off.

A combination of methods is the most effective – use a wire brush to scrape the paint over large surfaces, then use sandpaper to tackle nooks and crannies.
You can use a cordless drill with a wire brush. This is a good choice if you are scraping paint over a large surface. Remember to use earplugs when operating the drill. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Clean metal surfaces. Use a clean rag to wipe the paint off and discard the rag. Scrape off any remaining paint. Scrub thoroughly with a clean rag, removing any loose paint, dirt, grease and grime from the metal surface.

Even if the surface of the item looks pretty clean, don’t skip this step. You need a clean, shiny metal surface or something like that.
If you do not clean the metal surface properly, the paint may become smudged. Paint will not adhere firmly to metal surfaces and may come off easily.
The oil on the surface of newly electroplated metal (which may or may not be visible to the naked eye) will interfere with the painting process if not removed. You can use a regular soap solution to clean the plated metal surface. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Sand the metal surface until it is very smooth. This will ensure the best paint durability. After sanding, you need to use a damp cloth to wipe it one last time to remove the dirt.

Primer metal surface

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Pre-apply a zinc chromate primer if the metal is rusty. This step should be done before regular primer, but only if the metal is rusty. If the metal surface is not rusty, you can start with a regular oil-based primer as described below. Before painting, you need to scrape off loose rust and wipe it clean to remove any remaining debris or residue. Once the rust is clean, you should apply a coat of zinc chromate primer before applying a good quality primer.

A primer normally needs to be applied to the metal surface immediately after the zinc chromate coat is applied, so it’s a good idea to have the primer ready before painting.
Zinc chromate is an anti-corrosion agent that needs to be applied first to adhere to metal surfaces to prevent rust. Immediately after applying the substance, it is recommended that you apply a “good quality” regular primer, so that the zinc chromate paint remains the first coat. This type of paint also acts as an adhesive for conventional primers. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Choose an oil-based primer. Make sure the primer and topcoat are compatible. You’ll be using acrylic paint (best suited for metal paints), so you’ll need to choose an oil-based primer that’s compatible with the acrylic paint. You should also look for a primer specifically designed for metal, as they have the best adhesion to metal.

Most primers come in a spray form for ease of use, but if you prefer to use a paint brush, you can also buy a primer that comes in a carton or box.
Primer not only helps paint to adhere well to metal surfaces, but also works to even out colors and imperfections that were not previously treated.

Paint a coat of primer. Spray primer evenly over the entire metal surface. If you work outdoors, you should avoid spraying paint on a windy day. Remember to shake the primer bottle about 2 minutes before use. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Apply another coat of primer. Metals are very susceptible to oxidation, so it’s best to apply two coats of primer. This not only helps the paint adhere to the surface, but also protects the metal surface from being susceptible to the effects of time and weather elements.

In particular, you will be anti-rust if you use the correct primer.

Wait for the primer to dry completely. The time it takes for the paint to dry will vary depending on the type of paint, so you need to check the details on the paint box. Acrylic paint will stick better and last longer if you apply it on a completely dry primer.

Coating

Use a brush or spray a coat of acrylic paint. You can also use spray paint, but it won’t last well on metal. Make sure the paint is evenly applied to the metal surface.

If you’re using a paint brush, don’t dip too much in the paint so you don’t get dirty and make the first coat too thick.

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Wait for the first coat to dry completely. Check the information on the product for the time it takes for the paint to dry. If you don’t let the first coat dry completely, the finish won’t last. Fortunately, acrylic paint dries pretty quickly, so you should get the job done in a day if you can manage it.

Steps

Clean metal surfaces

Primer metal surface

Coating

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