Painting galvanised

[rjp]

Can anyone give me advice on what paint sceme to use on galvanised steel fittings? I'm having some stuff regalvanised but feel that cosmetically some paint might be in order too.

John

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[jerryat]

Hi John!!

For years the recognised primer was Calcium Plumbate and was available from any paint stockist. Once applied, the usual range of undercoats/top coats could be used. There may now be different solutions to the problem of course, so someone here may know better.

This won't apply to your new galvanised stuff, but I was always told that after galvanised work has 'weathered' you could apply the usual paint systems directly, so if you don't intend doing the work for quite a while you might be able to skip the Calcium plumbate or it's alternative.

Kind regards

Jerry

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[tugboat]

I used an ordinary white primer followed by bog standard yacht undercoat and gloss and it was fine. However the important part of the process is to let the newly galvanised steelwork weather for long enough to get rid of the shiny finish before painting. Let it reach the grey matt surface otherwise your paint will just fall off. I was doing a major restoration job so got the galvanising done early on and left it under the boat for a year or so. It didn't get wet and took quite a while to lose the shine. Don't know if exposure to rain would accelerate the process.

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[VicS]

You must use the correct primer. It used to be zinc chromate, I think, but that may now not be used. You'll find primers in the major DIY stores but it might be worthwhile checking with the marine paint suppliers to see what they offer. See <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtpaint.com/uk/> International paint's website</A> for details of their etchprimer for example.

Jerryat, I think calcium plumbate probably disappeared long ago.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple>Ne te confundant illegitimi.</font color=purple><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by VicS on 17/07/2004 11:52 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[snowleopard]

painted the galvanised chassis of my car with International Zincolor. it's still in good shape 15 years later.

have used 'ordinary' paint on galvanised windows at home & it starts to peel after a year or two

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[Casey]

I have used Galvafroid to good effect but the steel must be shiny if it is to be of any use.

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[jerryat]

Hi Vic!

No calcium plumbate any more? Oh Lord, I'm older than I thought! Gonna shuffle off and put my teeth in a glass now. Nurse, where's me Complan?!

Cheers

Jerry

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[Mirelle]

Let it weather for a year, first

After that time, it should be quite OK, but try a wipe over with a rag dipped in boiled linseed oil; let that go off for a month, then paint. That was a 1920's recipe, courtesy of Claud Worth, but I find it works.

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[rjp]

Many thanks to all for the advice.

John

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[Talbot]

you can get a special primer for galvanised that then allows hammerite to be used, but it didnt work very well when I tried it! - why bother, if the galvanising is good, it should last for at least 10 years before needing doing again.

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[MainlySteam]

The boat yard spilt some drips of epoxy primer/undercoat on one of our galvanised anchors a few months ago. Although the anchor was not prepared in any way it is clear that the paint is not going to come off in a hurry (the anchor has been used since).

Has made me consider using epoxies on galvanising and may be worth looking at (I was considering it for the colour code marking on our anchor chain, but is really too expensive on account of needing about 6 different colours in small quantities).

John

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[SlowlyButSurely]

Yes, that's my experience too. We have quite a few painted galvanised fittings on our boat. I have tried all kinds of different primers, but the most successful is International epoxy. It sticks well to new or weathered galvanised steel.

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[MainlySteam]

Interesting that you should mention your successful use of International, 'cause that is what got dropped on my anchor.

John

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