Rawlins Paints Blog Industrial Paint Tips, Guidelines & DIY Articles
Painting steel requires a primer with excellent adhesion to provide a good base for your chosen top coat. Follow our 3-step guide below on how to paint steel with Zinsser products to ensure a lasting result.
Quick Links
Step 1. Surface Preparation / Priming
Zinsser Paint Steel Products
Zinsser Mould Killer & Remover
Zinsser Perma-White Interior or Zinsser AllCoat Exterior Satin/Gloss
Clicking on each Zinsser item will take you to its product page where you can add to basket.
The Benefits
Steel can be a difficult material to paint over; a good primer such as Zinsser Cover Stain will ensure excellent adhesion for your topcoat, providing a finish that will last for many years.
Zinsser listens to contactors and develops new products – or adds features to existing products – to meet their changing needs, delivering world class products that meet “real world” challenges, providing tried and tested solutions to painting problems, such as painting steel.
Step 1. Surface Preparation / Priming
The steel surface must be clean and dry before priming; clear anything that could affect adhesion and application of Zinsser products and materials, removing any visible signs of organic growth and using Zinsser Mould Killer & Remover (in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions) to treat the area.
Wash the area that is to be coated, removing any contaminants with hot water and liquid detergent solution; rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining residues and allow the area to dry.
Thoroughly degrease with methylated spirit, changing the cloths regularly before applying one full coat of Zinsser Cover Stain in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and allow to dry.
Step 2. Interior Decoration
Decorate interior areas with two full coats of Zinsser Perma-White Interior in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, with a minimum drying time of two hours between coats
Available in Matt, Satin or Semi-Gloss finishes, the top coat has a choice of over 350 colours from RAL and BS shades.
Step 3. Exterior Decoration
For exterior projects, decorate steel with two full coats of Zinsser AllCoat Exterior Satin/Gloss in one of over 4,000+ colours. Apply in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and allow a minimum of one hour’s drying time between coats.
More Information
If you require more advice on painting steel, give our technical team a call on 0113 2455450 (option 2) or send a message to [email protected].
Further Reading
Fire Protecting Structural Steelwork
Surface Preparation Methods for Steel Explained
How To Paint Over Powder Coatings
I’m trying to paint over powder coated gondola shelves all the type of paint I been using comes off. What is the best paint to use.
Hi Howard,
Thank you very much for taking the time to read our blog and for your question. Depending on the application method we could suggest the below, please be aware that these products are for professional use only, adequate training is required before industrial or professional use:
For spraying by a professional we could recommend Kolorbond K2.
For brush/roller application by a professional we could recommend Kolorbond DecoPro.
Please note that when covering powder coating, surface preparation is extremely important. The substrate should be thoroughly cleaned and abraded. Powder coatings contain waxes which migrate to the surface. It is very important to break through the waxes before applying the new paint so the powder coating should look ‘Matt’ before application. We would also recommend using a rust ‘killer’ on any bare metal or abrade to shiny metal.
If these steps are followed, Kolorbond K2 or Kolorbond DecoPro will provide a long-lasting coating for your project.
Please note the application instructions at the bottom of each product page must be followed to ensure any guarantees are valid after application.
If you require a product to use yourself instead of the above Professional Use products, or for any further advice, please feel free to get in touch with our Technical Department via our Contact Us page and our team will be delighted to help.
I hope this helps and please feel free to get in touch if you have any further questions.
Many thanks
Stuart