Although the choice of coating also plays an essential role in a painting project, surface preparation is the most important factor that determines the success or failure of a metal paint job. If you fail to prepare metal surfaces properly, you’ll most likely end up with a sloppy paint job that won’t last too long even if you use the best coating system.
As professional painters, we cannot stress enough the importance of adequate surface preparation. For this reason, we’ll use this blog post to present the benefits of preparing metal surfaces correctly before painting them. Once you know the benefits, you can easily understand why surface preparation is key to a successful painting project.
Adequate preparation prolongs the lifespan of metal surfaces.
Painted metal is amazingly durable. If you prepare metal surfaces adequately, you can make your roof, railing, gutters, downspouts and other components made of metal waterproof and weatherproof. Even when the surface is in perfect condition, some preparation work must be done before applying a new coat of paint. In this case, surface preparation involves the removal of salts, dust, debris, oil, grease, cutting or drilling compounds, etc. A clean surface ensures better paint adhesion to the surface, which will increase paint job durability and prolong the lifespan of metal surfaces. Conversely, improper surface preparation may cause premature chipping or peeling off. When metal surfaces are exposed directly to the elements, such as moisture, rain and sunlight, they’ll rust or corrode.
Proper prep work improves aesthetics.
If you prepare metal surfaces correctly, the result will be a smooth, beautiful finish. But for this, rectifying all imperfections should be part of the surface preparation process. Existing coatings and rust should be removed and small holes and dents should be repaired. Though it may seems like a waste of time, you should also apply a good-quality primer to deliver an even, sound substrate for the new coating. In addition, opting for metal paint colors that match your home and neighborhood color palette is a great idea to integrate metal components seamlessly into your surroundings. You can also opt for unique color combinations or patterns to transform ordinary into extraordinary.
Correct surface preparation saves you money and protects the environment.
Proper preparation allows you to extend the service life of metal surfaces, which will translate into hefty savings over time. For instance, adequately preparing your metal roof for painting will prevent premature degradation and failure, which will save you a lot of money on repairs and re-roofing. Also, you can find special coatings with infrared radiation reflective properties. These paint systems prevent passive solar heat gain, decreasing air conditioning needs and adding years to the lifespan of your roof. In Florida, opting for a so-called “cool roof” coating is a great idea, as it can reduce your energy bills considerably. In addition, cool roofs have been proven to mitigate the “urban heat island effect,” reduce local electricity demand, preventing power outages, and minimize power plant emissions like carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. All these will have a positive impact on the environment.
Now that you know why it’s important to prepare metal properly before painting it, you may also want to consider the following tips:
- choosing the right type of primer and paint for each job is imperative to achieve the results expected;
- following manufacturers’ recommendations, including the application techniques and curing/drying times, is important to get a high-performance, long-lasting coating;
- if you’re still unsure about trying your hand at painting metal, probably it’s best to hire professional painters to do the work for you; after all, it’s worth paying a little extra to get a high-quality paint job.
If you’re looking for a team of professional painters able to paint different interior and exterior surfaces, contact us today at Performance Painting. Because a great paint job requires much more than standard knowledge and skills, all our painters have been extensively trained in metal restoration and painting; wood stripping, refinishing and sealing; drywall, stucco and brick preparation and painting; epoxy coating application; concrete staining; waterproofing and power washing. Therefore, when we say “full service,” we really mean it!
