Enhance Your Creative Outlook: 10 Tips for Spray Painting Metal Objects

Spray painting is an easy, fast way to give metal surfaces a clean and even finish, and many household items like light fixtures, doorknobs, lamps, frames and more can be give a new look with a quick coat of paint. To ensure that your spray painting efforts yield success, there are some tips that you should follow:

1. Make sure you’re working in a well-ventilated area and wear a pair of gloves to avoid paint on your hands. If a light fixture is the item to be painted, hang it from the supports of your garage door so you can move all the way around it and spray it from all sides.

2. Spray painting results in the emission of fine particles of paint, so avoid working in freezing temperatures, excessive wind, or high humidity. Also, make sure to give the area a good cleaning before starting – dust particles can fly around and settle on the painted surface while it’s still wet.

3. Remove all rust before you start. Use sandpaper or a wire brush to scour the metal and then wipe it clean.

4. Grease-cutting cleaner is ideal for completely cleaning the metal surface before you begin to paint. If there is any dirt, grime or residue left on the surface, the paint won’t adhere properly.

5. For optimal adhesion and finish, primer is a must. Pick a good quality primer to ensure the paint will stick to the metal and apply it in several thin coats for even coverage.

6. When you spray, the can needs to be held at the proper distance away from the metal object. Holding the can too close or too far can result in a thick or uneven coat.

7. Shake the spray paint can vigorously before starting to work to make sure the paint is properly mixed.

8. Prior to start painting the metal object, give a few test coats on a scrap piece to check the finish.

9. Begin spray painting with thin coats, letting each one dry before applying the next. If a second coat is needed to get complete coverage, don’t overdo it and apply more than two coats.

10. Finally, after completing the job, allow the painted metal to dry for 48 hours before using it.

These are some useful tips and tricks that you should follow when spray painting metal surfaces. With a bit of patience and the appropriate products, you’ll be able to give your metal objects a brand new look and ensure a smooth, even finish.