You Can Save Money On Your Next Metal Paint Job With These 4 Steps (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to paint metal? ›

Paint the Metal

Once the primer is completely dry, apply an even coat of paint to your freshly primed metal with a brush, roller, or paint sprayer. Let the coat fully dry, and then apply one more coat if you're using a brush or roller. If you're using a paint sprayer, repeat the process until you have three thin coats.

Various techniques can be used, including brush painting, spray painting, or dipping, depending on the size and complexity of the metal object. Spray painting is often preferred for larger projects or to achieve a smooth and consistent finish.

Types of Metal Paint

Metal paints come in oil-based and water-based brush-on or spray-can versions. Oil-based paint is trickier to work with, but the results are longer lasting. Water-based acrylic paints can be overall more forgiving but may be difficult to find in spray form for exterior use.

Thus, when painting metal, you will want to use either two coats of primer and one coat of paint or three coats of paint with primer.

Prime on time.

Priming metal surfaces is very important in order to get a beautiful and highly durable paint job. But priming should be done immediately after the initial preparation phase. In Florida, timing is even more critical because metal surfaces start to rust within several days of exposure to moisture.

Metallic paints are very similar to emulsion paints in terms of their base; they are both water-based products that need to be applied by roller, or in the case of metallic paints, also a trowel, spatula or sponge. They can also be sprayed on the wall.

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Oil-based paint is typically seen as the gold standard when it comes to covering metal surfaces and items. That's because oil-based paints tend to adhere better to metal, offering a more long-lasting coat of color or finish.

Overall, the number of coats of paint you need depends on a variety of factors. However, as a general guideline, you should plan on applying one coat of primer, one to three coats of base coat, and one coat of topcoat to achieve a smooth, even finish.

What happens if you paint over primer too soon? ›

It's recommended to wait at least 24 hours before adding a coat of paint over your primer. Painting over it soon could cause your paint to adhere to the wall improperly, flaking and peeling.

Spray painting metal is more than a simple time-saver. It delivers a smooth finish, covers hard-to-reach spots and, most importantly, can prevent future rust and corrosion. Whether you're tackling a new project or revamping something well-loved, we've got tips to get the job done.

As a starting point, you need to use paint specifically formulated for metal surfaces. This might be labeled as multi-surface paint or metal paint. If you don't use this paint, it will peel, blister or flake, completely ruining your finish.

In general, a paint roller and/or paint brush will accomplish the thickest, most even coat of paint on metal objects with large surface areas. Spray paint is usually the better option for objects like furniture that have many crevices and hard-to-reach places.

Painting Techniques to Avoid Brush Marks

Paint Application: Apply paint in thin layers. Thick layers tend to leave marks. Brushing Technique: Use long, even strokes. Avoid over-brushing, which can leave marks and uneven texture.