Painting galvanized steel???

[dirtygoat]

I got some galvanized sheet given to me that I want to use on the bus...

It will be getting riveted into place so there will be no welding done...

But, from what I understand is, it's tough to paint...

If not done properly it will fail fast...

Anyone on here have experience painting galvanized steel???

Did it hold up???

What did you do to prep and what did you use to paint it???

 

[livid4dirt]

White vinegar will work just fine. Iv'e done it and seen it done tons of times by painters on construction projects. Just scrub with white vinegar, let dry and paint away. Now as far as paint, i used Hammerite but the Toxic Avengers on this site might have a little more input on that subject.
Hope this helps.....Roger

 

[badmix]

This is a sign I got, it is galv. steel. I just cleaned it real good and used primer and just paint. I used Engine paint that I had laying around cuz I liked the color.

 

[dirtygoat]

I read the vinegar thing on google, but you can't take everything on google as gospel...

Good to hear someone that has tried it and it worked...

Thanks...

 

[ryoken]

*cue Ryoken's broken record*

 

[badmix]

*cue Ryoken's broken record*

Which is???????????

 

[badmix]

*cue Ryoken's broken record*

Which is???????????

Found this.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5169486_paint-galvanized-steel.html

Looks like the they us ammonia

 

[ryoken]

ammonia and vinegar are just methods for pre-clean... for the record, denatured alcohol works just as well...

the key with galvanized, as with aluminum, is the initial primer.... cleaning with vinegar, etc wont mean cr*p if the initial prime coat doesn't bite.... a good self-etching primer is key.... thus, my broken record zinc spewing... what goes on top of that means little...

 

[badmix]

First I heard of your "broken record"

But none-the-less its good advice, I didnt know galv needed special process. I just cleaned mine and primed and painted, granted its a "non working" sign and wont be handled or out in the weather, so its just hanging, but for metal that is going on or in a truck, I agree that the better primer like you posted would be ideal.

 

[ryoken]

we learned all these lessons the hard way back in the late 70's, early 80's..... GM, the trucking industry, etc started using galvanized parts... initial procedures were failing until zinc started being used as an initial prime coat..... across the board from production to aftermarket...

in some circumstances, non-working as you mentioned, lesser products will hold up, but we learned the hard way, on-road, used stuff was failing far too frequently...

tho the zinc is advantageous on steel too, where it really is a necessity and performs is on al and galv.....

 

[zombie1969]

This is a sign I got, it is galv. steel. I just cleaned it real good and used primer and just paint. I used Engine paint that I had laying around cuz I liked the color.

Thats my screen name on PS3 network.Sorry you cant use it.

 

[diesel4me]

The galvanized metal I have used to patch rot holes,etc,is usually well weathered from being left outside for a long time before I use it,and I have had no troubles getting paint to stick to it..I hear if its weathered 6 months,no special prep is needed..

I've heard of using vinegar and other chemicals too,and it does work...my quonset garage has galvanized panels,and I know for a fact if I get any overspray or splatter and paint on it,its a bitch to scrape off,especially if you dont want the zinc to come off too!..its been up since 1992.

I used some Rustoleum "Gutter-Sheild" stuff on fresh galvanized panels before,its a transparent blue-ish coating thats rubbery,they intended it for use on galvanized gutters ,it allows top coats to adhere properly..how it would work under automotive paints I cant say..
They also sell a "Liquid Galvanizing Compound" spray that loks just like galvanized metal and is rich in zinc..CRC,Rustoleum are two brands I've seen who makes it..
I painted my van's gas tank with it in 1990,and it still looks geat,killed the rust I sprayed over and has kept new rust at bay...

 

[Fordum]

FWIW, if you need to use Vinegar for etching, head down to a photography shop, if you can still find one, and pick up a small bottle of Glacial Acetic Acid.

Think vinegar on steroids, after being exposed to gamma rays.
Its the pure stuff.
I think strong vinegar is about 3 percent or so, this is 100.
And it is a strong acid, and will eat up what it gets spilled on.
But you can mix it whatever strength you need.

Just remember, acid into water, never water into acid.