METAL SURFACES

SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS

  • Common characteristics and preparation practices exist across most metal types and can be referred to as a rule of thumb.
  • Various metal types have an impact on the performance of paint applied and therefore require specific treatments; these need to be adhered to where applicable.

GENERAL PREPARATIONS:

Cleaning

  • Cleaning of surface contaminants including oils and grease is required and may be carried out using lacquer thinners or other solvents.

  • Structural metalwork in industrial or coastal environments are likely to be highly contaminated, and therefore thorough cleaning will be required.

  • Cleaning techniques include: sandblasting, acid cleaning, flame cleaning, hand/mechanical cleaning and solvent cleaning.

Corrosion

  • Especially applicable to iron and steel, where rust and scale need to be completely removed before priming and painting.

  • While zinc and aluminium are more resistant to corrosion, they will also require specific treatment before priming and painting.

Priming

  • Priming should be done by brush.

  • Priming should be done shortly after the above preparatory work has been done.

  • Care should be taken to ensure that metal surface is 100% dry beforehand.

SURFACES:

New Iron and Steel (Un-primed)

Any un-primed ferrous metal

Treatment

  • Ensure that the surface is free of contaminants using the preparation techniques above.

Shortly afterwards, apply either Sparcolux Paints Metal Primer or Sparcolux Paints Zinc Chromate Primer

Iron and Steel (Previously painted)

Any primed and painted ferrous metal

Treatment

  • Remove all poorly adhering or defective paint and primer.
  • Prepare and prime as per the General Preparation practices.

Shortly afterwards, apply either Sparcolux Paints Metal Primer or Sparcolux Paints Zinc Chromate Primer to bare metal areas.