Note: The set of questions from this particular sender has been divided into two. This is part 2 which covers questions related to primer and topcoat. Find part 1 here.

Good day, Lettie!

Our metal gate has a coating of Boysen Quick Drying Enamel. The primer we used was Boysen Red Oxide.

We painted the gate several years ago and I think it’s now due for repainting. It’s very dirty. The area around the gate’s hinges even has oil and grease mixed with dirt. There are also areas that are rusty and have corroded already.

I have many questions and I hope you can help me. Your response will be greatly appreciated.

(Questions 1 to 3 can be found in part 1)

Question 4: What Boysen primer should I use that has the best rust-inhibiting property? Rust always seems to find a way to seep out from the paint, even if the rust was removed using a steel brush, especially during the rainy months.

Question 5: Do I just spot prime or should I apply the primer on the entire gate?

Question 6: What Boysen paint should I use for the topcoat? Hopefully, it will be durable and protect it from moisture and sunlight, and abrasions.

Question 7: What grit of sandpaper should I use between coats?

Question 8: How do I prevent paint from cracking?

Thank you!

From,
Boysen User A

Hi, Boysen User A.

We’ve got a lot of ground to cover so let’s get started.

4. What Boysen primer should I use that has the best rust-inhibiting property?

You chose correctly when you first used Boysen Red Oxide. I recommend it again for your repainting project as it does inhibit rust.

You are also correct in thinking that the paint products you use are important in rust prevention but there’s more to it that you should know too! Metal, more often than not, will rust over time. It’s especially likely to happen when the protective layer of paint on it has started to age. And yes, all paints age!

So, the best way to not see rust on your metal for a long while is by choosing durable, high-quality paint and through proper surface preparation—which includes removing all existing rust via manual and chemical means. Typically, repainting is done every 5 years.

And, when you do signs of corrosion, put a stop to it before it spreads and destroys your metal gate any further! Vigilance and periodic maintenance are key.

5. Do I just spot prime the gate or should I just apply the primer on the entire gate?

Apply primer on areas with exposed metal, such as areas where you’ve carried out rust treatment. There’s no need to apply primer in places where the paint is still in good condition.

6. What Boysen paint should I use for the topcoat?

You can use Boysen Quick Drying Enamel again. Solvent-based enamel paints, like Boysen Quick Drying Enamel, are very durable and suited to both interior and exterior surfaces. It will be able to withstand both sunlight and rain.

Follow the recommended painting procedure and your paint will perform as it should. Find the painting guide for Boysen Quick Drying Enamel here.

7. What grit of sandpaper should I use between coats?

Similar to when you were prepping your surface, use sandpaper with a grit of 320 to 360 for light sanding in between coats.

8. How do I prevent paint from cracking?

If you’ve followed the recommended surface preparation procedures and painting instructions, your paint job should last for a good several years. Paint aging, however, is inevitable. As it does, it loses the ability to expand and adapt to the changes in the temperature. The film hardens and becomes brittle, and then starts to crack.

So, when you do start seeing signs of paint problems like cracking, especially if your last repaint was more than 5 years ago, it may be time for a retouch. If you would like to learn about the causes of cracking in paint, this blog post will have the info you need!

If any of the above is still confusing or raises more questions, our Technical Service Department will be happy to help as well. You can call (02) 8363-9738 local 413 to 418 during office hours for a one-on-one consultation. And don’t worry, consultations are free of charge.

Good luck with your gate and I hope rust stays far away from it for a long, long time!

Your painting partner,
Lettie

Author

Jill is a writer on a continuous journey to learn about paint and share them with you, the reader. She has an interest in the technical side of things but also thoroughly enjoys playing with colors. She likes calm greens, quiet blues, and mellow yellows best.

Write A Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.