How to Paint Galvanized Metal Good Questions

Q - I have an assortment of galvanized metal storage boxes, tubs, and magazine racks that I picked up from places like Pottery Barn when I was really into that look years ago. I've tired of them a bit, and am considering giving them a fresh coat of paint. Can I just paint them with water-based latex paint, and will the paint stick without making a complete mess?

I won't mind if the paint scratches off and wears down here and there with use, as it will probably just give it character, but I don't want to go through the bother of painting if big swaths of paint are gonna come up (I'm hoping you guys don't tell me to spray paint, which is not an option, since I don't have a backyard). I'm wondering other readers have any experience with this. I'm attaching some pics from the PB website, though they're not exactly what I have. I do have the mag rack from Victoria's kitchen (previous AT post), which is one of the items I am thinking of painting.

Sent by Lala

Editor - Lala, from our experience, we've noted that latex paint has trouble sticking to galvanized metal, and even when it does stick, in certain temperatures the paint will begin to blister and peel. Not necessarily the look we think you're looking to achieve.

You might want to give an oil-based metal primer and paint combination a try instead. Another option is to take you galvanized pieces to an auto paint shop and get a quote for painting your small pieces; it might be reasonable enough to warrant using them and they might find the project unusual/different enough to do it.

Has anyone else have had success painting galvanized metal without using spray paint?

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Comments (9)

What about covering them with decorative paper or fabric? It may be tricky, but the right glue might work magic.

I've heard of people having good luck mod podging them. Maybe you could do that with white paper or tissue?

We just had our galvanized front gate painted. Scrubbed it clean with a vinegar solution and painted it with a metal and wood enamel paint. We were told using spray paint would be incredibly wasteful.

Rustoleum has paint in a can (to brush on). They have a bare metal primer that's the same as what's in the rattle cans that works on galvanized metal. Then they also have some colors you could use to paint afterwards. I've never had a problem with it. They just don't have very many colors in the cans versus the spray paint.

I'd try spray-on enamel paint made for models, available at hobby stores -- get a can, then test it on the bottom panel of one of these tubs?

Auto paint shops typically have minimums, so I'd go for the DIY route.

If you do want to spray some paint to do it your self, you could easily build a contained spray booth from scrap wood or pvc tubing and plastic sheeting. I used a pvc and sheeting spray booth to paint some furniture a while ago, but you could just as easily bang together some 2x4 for the frame. I made a cube from the pvc to fit my piece, then wrapped five sides in sheeting, put in my piece, then covered the sixth side. I simply cut small slits in one side for me to reach my arms in to paint and move the piece. after I sprayed the piece, I left it to dry, and let all the spray in the pvc/sheeting box settle overnight. It was handy and 3/4 inch pvc tubing is pretty cheap and the sheeting is too. And if you have plastic sheeting and duct tape left over from a few years ago when that was the preferred shelter in place method, you're all set. :) It kept the mess down and the overspray contained. I did it in my basement and garage and it was ok, would have been better to do it outside, but it was winter and temps kept me inside. there was still some smell, so try to do it someplace you can easily air out. The next time I have to do it I'm going to pick up a cheap air filter from goodwill and put it inside the booth and leave it on while I spray to help keep the smell down, or just wait for nice weather and put the booth outside somewhere while I paint.

To add to fib's suggestion, I think they can look great with wallpaper over them: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28120432&ref=sr_list_1&&ga_search_query=black wallpaper&ga_search_type=all&ga_page=4&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

Thanks everyone for all of your great suggestions. Maybe I'll post the results if the project turns out nice.