How do you paint stainless steel?

Answer 1

# Use a high quality, oil-based paint, and either spray, brush, or roll it on depending on the final texture you are trying to achieve. # Visit a professional powder coater (look in the yellow pages). This is an electrostatic process where plastic/epoxy powder is deposited in a very thin layer all over the surface and then baked on. The advantages of powder coating are flexibility, a very wide range of colors and textures, and the ability of the powder to adhere into small voids and cracks on the surface with out drips or runs. # Get the right wax. Many high quality waxes are on the market today that are especially made for metalwork. # Choose the perfect patina. These are chemical formulations made to cause surface changes and coloration to metal. Some are used hot, while others are applied cold, there are many to choose from and they also allow you to highlight your project while maintaining a natural finish. Often waxes are applied afterwards to provide a final seal. # Varnish your metal. Marine varnish is another way to put a final coat on your metalwork. Varnish has the advantage of being easy and forgiving to apply, however your work will have an obvious "clear coated" look that is not always desirable. Varnish is very easy to touch up later and to redo as maintenance at a later date without changing the overall finish. # Try nail polish. For painting small areas or writing on your metal, nail polish sticks very well and looks great. It comes in every shade imaginable, though, red hues are more widely available.

* Always start with clean metal. Use degreasing solvents such as alcohol, acetone, or methyl ethyl ketone. * For powder coating, sandblasting is sometimes necessary, and they will usually dip your metal in an iron phosphate bath prior to coating for best adhesion. * Always work in a dust-free environment to avoid contamination. * Make sure each coat or process is completely cured and dried before applying additional coats. * Always follow all label instructions and do research with the manufacturer for best results.

* Always work in a well-ventilated area. * Always wear proper respiratory equipment. * Never mix chemicals against manufacturers instructions. * Wear chemical resistant gloves and face/eye protection.

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The How-to Manual That You Can Edit *

Preparation is 90% of any paint job! (***Memorize that first sentence!***) Painting metal and getting a good finish is not easy. Preparation involves masking everything you "don't" want painted. Floors. walls, ceilings, everything! Tape and plastic sheeting is most commonly used. Cleaning is essential. ALL surfaces to be painted must be bare clean perfect for a great and lasting finish. Painting Stainless Steel should be no more difficult than painting most any metal surface. First, there must be some micro-grain for paint to adhere to. A mirror-smooth finish would not support paint well, it must first be roughed up with a final finish of at least 400 grit sandpaper, best done with an oribital sander. The swirls will create a crosshatch pattern in the metal, and be an excellent surface base for the primer coat. A flat wood block would do, but buying/renting an orbital sander is best for large areas. Most Stainless is already scuffed with a smooth sanded finish, so you 'might' just get by with light sanding. Cleaning: Quality Stainless Steel won't easily rust, but all metals are man-made, and there are many different grades of any metals - a whole different subject. Lets hope you have good quality Stainless, so after all the sanding & cleaning prep, you might be able to wipe it all clean with alcohol and be ready to coat when it's dry. If the item you want to paint is nasty greasy dirty whatever, you may need to get a quart can of Acetone from your local hardware store. VERY toxic fumes! Read ALL precautions and believe them! (Trivia: Nail Polish Remover is about 10% Acetone, the rest is thinner & perfumes) Cleaning- (pay attention!): Any surface to be painted must be absolutely bare and clean of everything first! If you pre-cleaned with acetone or other solvent, finish with clear alcohol (good stuff from your hardware store, but 70% rubbing alcohol would do, 90% would be better.) Spray paint (for metal) would be the best finish. If you just want a slob-job of color, you could just brush on a coat or 2 of enamel paint, but don't plan on a good looking finish (unless you're very good with an expensive brush)! Spray is best. Use a metal primer, and follow can directions. Watersanding (look it up) flat surfaces with 400 grit silicone waterproof sandpaper and a sanding block is best between coats, and softly wet-sand rounded edges by hand. You don't want to remove the primer, you just want it smooth and even. Practice pays off... Two or three thin coats of primer is enough. Some newer (expensive) paints say "no primer required", I have no experience with them. Research your choice for a good decision. This job won't be easy or cheap, to look good when done. Before your final finish coats, lightly wipe any dust particles off the surface with a damp micro-fiber cloth between coats. Wet paint is a magnet for dust and bugs - Murphy's Law. Let it dry well, a few days before any real handling. Paint will actually take about a month to fully cure and resist nasty acids from your skin, so keep it clean of skin oil and any other goo, like kids & animals. Untape the trim you covered (you DID cover parts that you didn't want painted, right?) A good "organic particles" respirator mask is a good investment before you start, and good (filtered) ventilation is essential. Temperature, humidity, dust, many variables, will determine the outcome of this major project... Spray painting a beautiful finish is a learned skill, and the best results are with proper professional equipment. Still, it can be done in your garage, or in a pinch, under a supported tarp outside. (bugs will invite themselves to join the party!) Buy a couple of extra cans of paint, and practice on a similar surface to get the idea of proper angle & distance to hold the can, and get a good wet overlap to blend well. For a three-or-more can project, get one of those big triggers (like a spray gun handle) that attach to the can top. your fingers will thank you! I've done many spray-can masterpieces, including guitar bodies, vehicle parts (including my badly damaged car roof) and many furniture & art pieces. I'm just one of many who do. Go for it! Just remember the first sentence. Have fun! DyingGeezer

Answer 2

I fail to understand how something can be "plastic stainless steel" - you are naming 2 different materials. -However both of those materials can be primed with an autobody spray primer and then brush painted or sprayed with Tremclad or Rustoleum paint.

Answer 3

Degrease it first, then paint with a rust-proof primer before your final paint.

Answer 4

Yes, you can paint SS. Make sure you spray a good primer on it first.