Painting a Steel Door

[chiangrai]

I have double steel doors on my concrete shed.

I had ythem made up last year and they have never been painted.

I want to paint them now but don't know how to do it.

The best thing for my colour scheme would be to use the

TAO roof paint,100% acrylic emulsion that I am using else where.

The Thai metal worker said to use oil paint but I'm hoping that he's wrong.

The roof paint sais it's self priming.

So can I use it and do I need a primer.

[Thorgal]

Use epoxy/zinc primer + epoxy top layer(s).

[BobTH]

You should first sand the doors with a 150 grit sandpaper then clean thoroughly with rubbing alcohol. You really need to prime it with a quality quick drying oil based primer and let it dry for at least 24 hours. Your 100% acrylic paint will be fine for your top coats, I say coats because you should really put on two if you want to do it properly, letting each coat dry fully. This paint system will give you many years of service.

[chiangrai]

O.k.....that's one vote for me me acrylic paint,,,,any seconds?

Rubbing alcohol is white spirits I presume......?

[BobTH]

O.k.....that's one vote for me me acrylic paint,,,,any seconds?

Rubbing alcohol is white spirits I presume......?

Rubbing alcohol is actually Isopropyl alcohol, and although similar to white spirits not quite the same, if you can't find the alcohol (most groceries and pharmacies carry it) then I think the spirits would work fine. Good luck.

Edited May 22, 2016 by BobTH

[CGW]

Use epoxy/zinc primer + epoxy top layer(s).

Only way to go if you want a maintenance free job, new coating systems have moved on from acrylics, they bond to the steel and last for years, in the offshore industry its all we use now.

[chrisinth]

I know its a bit late, but before you start your painting (fully agree with the zinc primer, epoxy finish coat), you need to ensure that you have the surface prepared so the prime coat can adhere to the metal.

Ideally, you would need to sandblast (not allowed these days but good enough for small items) or gritblast the surface to form an anchor pattern. Otherwise rough it up best you can with sandpaper.

The ant as far as (anti) corrosion is concerned............................

Edited June 2, 2016 by chrisinth