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How to Paint Metal
Whether indoors or outdoors, metal experiences wear and tear over time, which can affect the finish. Painting metal doors, railings, handles, furniture and fixings is a great way to spruce up these areas, helping your home or workplace look its best for longer. Our guide includes tips on how to spray paint metal, along with other methods, ensuring a professional finish on every job.
Can you paint metal?
You can paint metal, provided you use the correct preparation products and a specialist metal paint. Matt Gray, Skills Development Consultant at Dulux Academy, emphasises the importance of preparation when painting metal:
"A clean, properly prepared & primed surface ensures a durable, long-lasting finish. The preparation required depends on whether you are working with a rusted surface or one that has been previously painted. If it’s unpainted or rusted, remove any flaking or loose material with abrasive sandpaper or a wire brush. I like using a wire brush drill attachment for big jobs because it helps speed things up, especially if there is lots of rust to remove.”
Once this step is complete, you can go ahead and prime the metal, ensuring you choose a suitable product for the material:
“Use a Zinc Phosphate primer such as Armstead Trade Primer Zinc Phosphate on ferrous metal or a quick dry metal primer such as Dulux Trade Metalshield Quick Dry Primer on non-ferrous metal.”
Working with a metal surface that has already been painted? The preparation technique differs slightly. You’ll need to remove the old paint with a suitable paint stripper first, then follow Matt’s guidelines for priming and re-painting metal indoors and outdoors:
“If the surface is already painted, there’s no need to use primer, but it is still important to clean and sand the surface before painting. When painting interior metal, temperature doesn’t tend to be an issue. However, when working outside, you should avoid rain, frost and extreme cold as the paint won’t cure properly, resulting in an uneven finish and reduced longevity of the paintwork.”
What’s the best paint for metal?
When painting metal, you should always use a specialist metal paint to ensure a long-lasting, quality finish. At Dulux Decorator Centre, we have metal paint in various shades and finishes, including satin, gloss and metallic. Whether you’re looking for the best metal fence paint or premium interior trim paints, we have plenty of products available. You’ll also find the necessary tools and accessories for painting metal, including PPE, dust sheets, brushes, rollers and spray machines.
Step-by-step guide to painting exterior metal
Before removing, priming or painting metal, ensure you’re wearing PPE, including masks, goggles and gloves. You may also want to protect the floor with dust sheets, depending on where you’re working. Whether you’re painting exterior metal doors, fencing, railings or trim, follow the steps outlined below for best results.
Painting garage doors
Painting the garage doors can transform your home’s exterior. After stripping existing paint and protecting any door hardware with masking tape, follow these steps for a professional finish:
Sand your garage doors using coarse sandpaper to achieve a smooth finish on your paintwork. Once smooth, clean them with sugar soap and a sponge to remove any residue or dirt.
If your garage doors are unpainted, apply a primer next, then leave it to dry for the time specified on the product label. Different primers are required for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, so be sure to choose the right type. Dulux Trade All-Purpose Primer is an excellent choice for most metals, except galvanised steel.
If you have a spray paint machine, this can save time when painting large surface areas, like garage doors. Otherwise, a paintbrush is the best option. Apply an even coat of your chosen paint to the doors, then leave it to dry as directed.
Once dry, a second coat can be applied to ensure an even finish.
Painting metal fencing follows the same steps as garage doors, as both have a large surface area.
Painting metal railings
Since metal railings are more intricate, they require a slightly different approach than garage doors and larger surfaces. Follow steps 1 and 2 above to sand, clean and prime the area, then you’re ready to paint:
Spray paint cans can be useful for painting metal railings, as achieving a neat, even finish with a paintbrush can be tricky.
Shake the can to mix the paint and hold it around 6 to 12 inches away from the railings. Spray along the railings using long, sweeping motions to prevent dripping.
You may need up to three layers of spray paint to get the desired coverage, but let each coat dry thoroughly before applying more.
How to paint interior metal
The main difference between painting interior and exterior metal is the paint you use. Some metal paints are suitable for both, but always check the label carefully. Blackfriar Metallic Paint is an excellent choice for interior and exterior metal, available in gold and silver to suit your preference.
Painting radiators and furniture
If your radiator paint is chipped, cracked, or rusting, it’s time for a refresh. You’ll need to remove the old paint first using a paint stripper, then re-paint in your chosen shade and finish. Hammerite Radiator Enamel Gloss Aerosol is the ideal choice for radiators, ensuring an even application and long-lasting results.
Make sure to cover the walls, floors and furniture when using aerosol paints, and wear appropriate PPE like a respirator mask, goggles and gloves to protect yourself.
When painting intricate areas, a paintbrush gives you more precision and prevents overspray – leaving you with less cleanup! Try Hammerite Radiator Paint in Gloss, available in Brilliant White.
The same process applies to painting metal furniture and interior trim, whether chairs, bedframes, mirrors or door handles.
For more painting and decorating tips, visit the Dulux Decorator Centre blog to explore related articles, including:
A guide to upcycling furniture