Some days you just want to spruce up an old gate or metal cabinet, other days you really have to. Either you fall out of love with the color or the surface is, you know, already rusty and stained. On this post, Boysen experts give you a rundown on what needs to be done when painting or repainting a metal surface. Included are answers to some of the frequently asked questions from our Facebook page. If it’s your first time painting, hope this helps and we hope you enjoy!

How to Paint Metals?

First things first, prepare the surface properly. For new metal surfaces, identify the type of metal you’ll be working on to know how you are going to treat it. Follow this link to get yourself started. On the other hand, repainting a metal surface is a little bit complicated but is completely doable. If the previously painted surface is in good condition, you just have to wipe it clean. However, if the paint on the surface is rusty and loose, you need to scrape the whole thing off and treat it immediately. Check out this link for instructions. Effective surface preparation dictates the success of your painting job so make sure to do it properly.

Few reminders as you go on with your painting project, if you are painting inside your home, make sure that the area is well-ventilated for faster drying time and so that rust particles, which are indoor pollutants, get diluted and displaced. Wear gloves and a dust mask for further protection. If you are painting gates or other surfaces outside, always consider the weather. One more thing, whether you are painting an interior or exterior area, keep a clean damp cloth nearby to wipe away dust particles and to wipe paint drips off the floor.

Which Primer Should You Use?

After preparing the surface, proceed with priming. A primer serves as a preparatory coating applied to the metal surface to ensure better paint adhesion, durability, and additional protection, especially against corrosion. Technically, all Boysen metal primers are rust prevention measures. Choose one that works best on the surface you are working on. Here are various Boysen products you can choose from:

 

Boysen Epoxy Primer – a high quality, two-component, epoxy-polyamide system that has exceptional adhesion to practically any surface. It has excellent corrosion resistance and sealing properties, and is highly alkali-resistant so there is no need for neutralization of new concrete.

Boysen Rust-Off Gray Alkyd Metal Primer B-330 – a lead and chromate free, high rust-inhibiting primer for interior/exterior steel and iron surfaces.

Boysen Primeguard – a water-based acrylic maintenance primer designed to have excellent adhesion and metal passivation. Use it where superior protection and good adhesion on hard-to-adhere metal surfaces are desired.

Use a Topcoat of Your Choice

Once you’re done with all the prep work, it’s time to choose a topcoat. Boysen offers a wide range of metal topcoats for you, here are some of the recommended products:

Boysen Metal Primer Cans

Boysen Acqua Epoxy – a two-component water-based acrylic epoxy paint that has superior solvent, chemical and stain resistance features that makes it ideal for properly primed metal surfaces, and even concrete floors.

Boysen Quick Drying Enamel – an alkyd type paint that provides great durability while being noted as a fast-drying paint. It is formulated to give a tough, durable, beautiful and high-build film on metal as well as wood.

Boysen Acrytex – an acrylic solvent-based coating that helps prevent water seepage. It forms a seamless, non-porous, watertight film that repels water and inhibits the formation of stain on woods.

Watch this video of Bea repainting her rusty gate from our Bea’s BnB series to see how doable painting or repainting a metal surface is:

Let’s Get Technical

Boysen prioritizes your convenience, so together with our friendly and reliable Technical team, here we compiled some of the frequently asked questions about metal paints from our Facebook page and Messenger to guide you on your next painting project:

A BIG NO-NO. Painting over a rusted surface to expectantly hide the damage would only put you in much bigger trouble. Eventually, the rust will resurface and cause the deterioration of the new coating. Completely remove rust and treat the affected area with Boysen Metal Etching Solution B-71 then proceed to repainting. Follow this link to learn about corrosion and how you can prevent it from ruining your metal surface in the future.

It is diluted and applied to the surface to prepare and condition the G.I. surfaces before the painting procedures. It can also be used purely as a rust converter for corroded metal surfaces.

Different paint products require different thinning solvents; some don’t require thinning at all. Better research ahead of time to prevent product mismatch which may lead to several adverse reactions. Regarding Boysen Quick Drying Enamel, it is advisable to mix a 4 liter can with not more than 1 liter of Boysen Paint Thinner B-0340 to get the ideal viscosity.

Of course. Formulated to be used on properly primed metal surfaces, Boysen Acqua Epoxy can be applied on surfaces that are directly exposed to the sun such as gates and windows. One of its best features is that it does not easily chalk or yellow especially when exposed to the ever-changing weather. Since it is water-based, it has less odor and is easy to apply.

Were we able to help you with your queries? For other questions and suggestions, call us at (02) 363-9738 local 417 to 418 during office hours or write an email to ask@myboysen.com. You may also subscribe to our blog for more stories, just click the subscribe button on the upper right-hand side of this blog. We hope to see you again!

Author

Jess is a copywriter who brushes up on her paint knowledge daily. Together with Boysen professionals, she makes the technical stuff easier to digest. When she’s not writing, she searches the internet for the latest dessert bar.

2 Comments

  1. I am recently retired and doing DIY projects to occupy my time. In find your articles very helpful, well written, and easy to understand.
    Please write about how to clear varnish wood items.
    Thanks.

    • Happy New Year, Roger! Thanks for your feedback. The team appreciates it very much. We will be writing about varnish soon as you requested :D.

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