Re-Painting Metal Grilles and Ornamental Metal.

Gloss paint is the recommended paint for exterior metal grilles and ornamental metal work. This type of paint is a solvent based material that is difficult to work with. Any paint drip is tedious to remove. The same problem goes with cleaning the painting tools.

No paint manufacturer has invented a  water-based gloss paint for metal and wood.  Nippon Paint has just launched a new Hydro-gloss paint for metal and wood. But this is only for interior use.

The metal ornamental pieces removed
 from the grilles to facilitate re-painting.

Diluting gloss paint is another issue. Certain gloss paint can mix with Turpentine only. Turpentine is recommended for diluting most made of gloss paint. It can also be used for removing drips and stains. Thinner is usable only for gloss paint of some manufacturers.  So, it is wise to check with the manufacturer. Thinner is more corrosive than turpentine. It can cause itchiness and burning sensation, if it comes into contact with the skin.

Metal Ornamental pieces fixed,
after re-painting.

In order to avoid the messy cleaning task after each painting,  use a disposable brush or paint roller. Medium quality painting brush or roller is adequate for the job and discarded after application. This is an economical option.

Gate newly re-painted

Before painting or re-painting metal work, ensure that all rust and dirt are removed from the surface. The conventional way of removing rust is using a scrapper and sandpaper. Now, there is a chemical compound that can remove rust easily. This chemical is called “Compound EDE80”. It can be used in concentrated form or dilute with water. 

Removing the rust with a scrapper.

Compound EDE80 is an industrial chemical compound used widely in the metal processing industries.  DIY buff may encounter difficulty in sourcing this compound. 

Apply the Compound EDE80 on the rusted part of the metal with a brush or  a piece of rag. Let it sets in and react with the rust for a day. Thereafter, clean the surface to be painted with a damped cloth. Apply Oxide Anti-rust primer to the rusted areas.The surface must be dry and clean before re-painting.

The gloss paint should be diluted, to reduce the  gummy feel on the brush or roller.

Tools and materials required:

The roller is detachable. Discard and replace after
each painting job.

    1)A short handle  paint roller (small).

      2) Half a dozen roller refill

      3) A pair of cotton gloves

      4) A scrapper.

      5) A small painting brush(the one use by artist)

      6)Gloss paint (quantity depends on the areas to be painted)

      7) A bottle of turpentine.

      8)   A bottle of thinner.

      9)A large plastic sheet (10 ft X 10 ft) to cover the areas from  paint drips

      10)  A stirrer.

1     11)  One liter of Compound EDE 80.

Oxide primer applied on the rusted spot.

Paint the surface with the roller in a gently forward and backward flow or upward and downward direction to ensure a complete and smooth coating. Corners, coves and grooves can be painted and touch-up using an artist brush.

Dipping  the ornamental metal into a can of paint.

The ornamental flower pieces on  my grilles are detachable. For speedier and easier re-painting , these are removed from grilles, cleaned and dipped into the tin of paint.  Let them dry in the sun and fix back a few days later. The paint required about five days  to dry completely, for better adhesion to the metal.

Drying the ornamental metal pieces in the sun.