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Painting metal surfaces is a more challenging task than painting plaster or wood… metal can be rusty, dirty, and can make paint difficult to adhere to. However, do not let this discourage you. Whether your outdoor metal chairs are looking rusty and worn or your indoor metalwork needs a touch-up, with our tips and tricks on how to paint metal surfaces, you will refresh and protect your metalwork in no time.

What is the best paint for metal?

Only dedicated metal paints will give you the best result when painting metal. At Kent Blaxill, we supply a wide range of metal paint for all kinds of applications, from Zinsser Allcoat, Bedec Multi Surface Paint and Bradite One Can to paint that can be used directly onto rust, such as Hammerite Direct to Rust Smooth Black Metal Paint, and much more.

Related: Types of metal paint.

Important steps when painting metal.

Safety considerations.

Before starting to paint your metal surface, it is essential to protect yourself. Paint and rust particles can be harmful, so it is vital to work in a well ventilated area using a dust mask and safety gloves.

Get rid of rust and loose paint.

Not only does rust weaken metal but it can also prevent paint from sticking to the surface, which, in turn, will lead to peeling and flaking paint. So, start by removing rust from your metal surface by using a wire brush and/or a coarse sandpaper. Any loose or flaky paint should also be removed by the same method.

Clean the surface.

After prepping the surface by removing rust and loose paint, you might be left with leftover dust and debris. Use a clean, dry cloth to remove dust and a mild detergent solution can also be used to help remove persistent dirt. In case the metal surface is greasy, you should use methylated spirits to clean the surface. Allow the surface to dry before applying the primer.

Apply a metal primer.

Applying the right primer will help paint adhere better to metal and will protect metal surfaces against rust and corrosion. Dulux Trade Metalshield Quick Dry Primer is ideal for non-ferrous metals, such as copper and aluminium, whilst Dulux Trade Metalshield Zinc Phosphate Primer is better suited for ferrous metals, such as steel and cast iron.

To note: New bare metals might require to be abraded slightly using a sanding sponge to rough up the surface before applying a primer, this will give the paint a surface to adhere to. Some metals require an etch primer which uses a chemical to prime the most difficult substrates like galvanized steel and aluminium. 

Paint the surface.

It is always recommended to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on your paint tin or can, to get the best results when painting your surface.