Why paint over galvanised surfaces?
Galvanizing steel provides you with superb rust protection. Galvanised surfaces are initially shiny, with an almost chrome like finish which softens and dulls over time to a dull silvery grey colour. It may however not suit your taste or tie in with the colors of the rest of your buildings or surrounds. The reason why galvanised surfaces are painted is to make it aesthetically pleasing and to colour match to the taste of the client.
The paint layer is thus mostly for cosmetic reasons if the gate is galvanised.
When to paint over galvanised surfaces?
Any paint layer, whether it is normal paint or powder coating is prone to damage during transport and installation. In an ideal world the paint layer should be applied after installation. However, powder coating cannot be done on site. Painted gates must be touched up after installation to cover inevitable scratches and damage.
The best time to paint a gate is after installation.
Delivering gates galvanised, but not painted has the following advantages:
- You know that your gate is galvanised for sure. Many manufacturers just paint over ungalvanised steel and rust sets in within the first year.
- It is delivered free of scratches.
- You can also install the gate without fear of scratching the surfaces
- You save the cost of having it painted by the manufacturer
Can I paint my gate myself or have it painted after installation?
Yes, you can! It is not difficult.
Our gates are delivered galvanised and ready for installation. You may use your local trusted installer or handyman or opt to install it yourself.
Painting over the galvanised gate is an easy job if the correct steps are followed and the right products are used.
STEP 1: Cleaning the surfaces before applying the paint
Use a special galvaniser cleaner to remove grime and the water-based passivation layer of the galvanised surface. Products like Duram’s NS2, Krome Metal Chemicals’s Phoskro HW24, Galv Edge, Ready Paint, Galv prep by Dekro, etc will work. Ask your local hardware shop for advice. Apply the product and rub with an old cloth until the surface do not feel greasy.
STEP 2: Apply a primer to the galvanised surfaces
First make sure that the surface is completely dry after the cleaning step. Then apply a primer that is formulated for galvanised surfaces. These primers include the following: Plascon’s Galv Iron Primer or Duram’s NS6 primer. Ask your local paint expert for metal primers that are formulated for galvanised surfaces.
Important Note: You have to apply the paint on the same day as cleaning to avoid the formation of white rust.
STEP 3: Apply a good paint – Topcoat
After the primer is dry you can proceed to paint your gate or fence. Normally two coats of paint will suffice.
Normally a quick dry enamel paint will be used for steel surfaces. Alternatively, a metal epoxy paint like Nu-Coat Epoxy will also work. Consult your local paint expert for further advice.
Spray or brush
Spray-can paint offers the easiest way to paint metal. It is especially useful for pieces that have many contours, such as patio furniture or wrought-iron fences or railings. But the finish is usually not as smooth and uniform as with brush-on paint, and it may take several coats to achieve the desired finish. Good ventilation and a respirator are essential when spraying paint. You may have trouble finding your preferred paint in a spray-can format, whereas other paints can be mixed to your desired colour.
Brush-on paint takes considerably longer to apply, but the finish will be smooth and durable. Both water-based and oil-based versions are widely available.
Steel post painted with primer (yellow) and topcoat (grey):
Non-galvanised gate painted – rust takes over:
Paint with brush:
Paint runs when applying spray paint (grey):
Paint flaking off galvanised surface when applied without paint primer:
Van Schoor Gate (Pty) Ltd is situated in the hamlet of Philadelphia to the West of Cape Town. Established in 1910, Van Schoor is a name you can trust. We specialise in the manufacturing of galvanised gates, made to size and delivered to Cape Town, the Garden Route and the wider Western Cape.
Visit our website: www.gatesandfencingatvanschoor.co.za