3 Steps to Take before Painting a Metal Building

Whether they are used for residential or industrial purposes, metal buildings made primarily of steel are becoming more popular with each passing day. They are stronger in construction, more eco-friendly, and significantly faster to build than traditional buildings. Although the steel panels will come pre-painted according to your choice from the metal building company if you want, it is perfectly possible to paint or re-paint them on-site if you need to. However, painting a metal building is not exactly the same as painting a structure made of wood and that’s exactly why you may find these preparation tips useful.

Knowing When it’s Time to Repaint

A new coat of paint can help the steel last better and when introduced intelligently, can also help you to save energy by either reducing or increasing indoor temperatures. Generally, though, the telltale signs which indicate that the structure could use a fresh coat are flaking or peeling on the surface, the appearance of rust, fading colors, etc. If you own a metal building, you should always remember that though these structures are extremely sturdy and durable, keeping a close watch on the condition of the paint is important. The weather will have a long-term effect on your steel building.

Remove the Rust First

You should always remove the rust (if any) before applying a new coat of paint. If the rusting isn’t too bad, you can probably remove it with 80-grit sandpaper alone, followed by some zealous sanding with a 120-grit sandpaper to smoothen out the surface. Use a wire brush for the more resilient sections of the paneling. If things are more serious, sand-blast the rusty sections with a high-pressure air compressor.

Organic gel rust removers can help you save some time and effort. If all else fails, use acidic cleaners such as phosphoric acid and hydrochloric acid to dissolve the rust away. Don’t forget to wear the necessary protective gear and a respirator if you are using acid unless you want to end up with chemicals, sand, and metal particles in your lungs!

Surface Preparation

After the rust removal process, clean the surface off with pressurized water. Rinsing would be necessary if you want to remove grease from the surface, but you will also need to add a strong cleaner or detergent to the water for that. Removing mold or mildew, on the other hand, will need a solution of water and bleach in 3:1 ratio. Once all the debris is gone, wipe away the metal surface with a dry piece of cloth and wait till it is completely dry before beginning the paint job.