Anti-Rust Coatings For Steel – The Whys and Wherefores Explained

At Metro Steel we offer a series of galvanisation techniques, powder coating, and painting to protect your steel products from the harsh Australian climate and help avoid from corrosion. In this blog we want to focus on the latter – steel anti-rust paints.

If you visit any local hardware store or DIY superstore you’ll come across a whole range of corrosive protection, all of which are able to protect your metal products from rusting. However there are subtle differences. So just how do you make the right choice for your product? Here are some pointers…

Choose for type rather than for brand

Most experts agree that the type of anti-rust paint you choose is more important than buying a particular trusted brand. Metal paints are designed for a variety of different surfaces, so you need to make sure that the type you choose fits your surface criteria. For example some are designed specifically to bond to bare metal while others are designed to stick to either painted or primed surfaces. One final tip, if it’s an exterior product them you need to make sure you choose an exterior paint.

Brush-on or spray?

Often the choice between spray or brush on paint boils down to ease of application. Many professional painters recommend brush-on paints as they have the ability to cover any nooks, crannies, or blemishes in the surface of the metal far easier. However if you have a larger flatter surface area to cover then you might opt instead for the spray option. If you use a paint gun for instance, spray painting is far quicker to apply and gives a smoother even finish. For best results you might want to use a brush on primer for protection and a spray-painted formula to finish.

Oil or water-based paints?

The long-favoured paint of choice by traditionalists is oil-based paints. They have great adhesion and deliver a good smooth finish. On the flip side, when it comes to priming, the newer water-based paints are better at sticking to a metal surface. The latter works by forcing moisture to the surface which can then be simply wiped away, giving an all round better seal.

The right paint for the right metal

Finally just to add to the confusion, there are different anti-rust paints for different metals. The good news is that most paints are designed to bond with steel as this is the most common metal used. However if you’re painting say cast iron or aluminium, you’ll need to apply what’s known as a self-etching primer to help the paint adhere to the surface of the metal.

If you need further advice on the type of paint to use to best protect your metal product, you can always call us on 07 3204 1000 for some advice. We’re always happy to assist. Alternatively why not take the hassle free approach and let us do the job for you. Our experienced team will ensure that we deliver a good job.