painting galvanized steel

[k9sar]

bought a few shackles and decided I'd like them to be a nice bright color. They are drop-forged, galvanized steel. I tried a rust-oleum metallic spray but it doesn't hold real well. Besides grinding off the galvanized surface, any suggestions on getting a good adhesion from paint?

[Simon]

You'll have to spend good money on primer........A good primer will allow the paint to adhere properly. If they're new parts, prep isn't important.

 

Look around for primers that will adhere to galvanized.....be prepared to spend......a pint will cost you at least as much as a gallon of regular metal primer.

[Mr. Pickles]

Yeah, a good primer intended for galvanized surfaces should do the trick. Might be tought to find somebody to direct you to a specific brand, as the rust resistant nature of galvanized metal probably leads people to not paint it. Maybe try a local boat or trailer repair shop, or somewhere else that would have a lot of experience dealing with it.

[Precise1]

Sand or bead blast it k9sar, then degrease it well and prime it. NO problems after that...

 

B

[GrimGreg]

as the rust resistant nature of galvanized metal probably leads people to not paint it.

Usually they galvanize things that won't be painted, at least in construction (flashing, vent pipes, etc).

[k9sar]

yea, but the trouble is when the coating gets chipped or scratched. If the underlying metal is prone to rust, it will. I figure that a good heavy coat of paint or epoxy will prolong the life.

[Simon]

That's why you should use a good primer.......then you don't have to do anything to the metal, and it's rust-resistant propeties will remain the same.

[k9sar]

plus... the dang orange screw-pin is annoying