Choosing paint for metal for interior or exterior work

It is clear that when you are going to paint, for example, metal posts and a fence profile, you pay attention to paint for metal, for outdoor use. But there are a lot of such specific products. Depending on the base, paints for metal can be divided into the following types:

• Oil. Previously, they were very popular and widespread, because they are inexpensive. However, they have many disadvantages. Oil paints quickly crack, peel off, apply them inconveniently, dry for a long time, have an unpleasant odor. In addition, if the metal surface was painted with oil paint, it will not be possible to paint it with anything else. Or you have to completely remove the entire layer. This is why oil paints are much less common now..
• Alkyd. This option is more reliable, the coating is shiny, even, and sufficiently resistant to external influences. A big minus of alkyd paints is toxicity. When working with them, special protection is required. In addition, the metal surface must be pre-treated with an anti-corrosion primer that includes a rust converter.

• Acrylic. Experts call them the best to date. Acrylic paints reliably protect metal from temperature fluctuations and precipitation, do not have toxic components. They are often used at fire hazardous facilities, since even in the event of a fire, acrylic paints will not release harmful substances into the atmosphere. There are acrylic paints with anti-corrosion additives, which allow them to be applied to slightly rusted metal. Minus – some compounds do not tolerate low temperatures well, perhaps the surface will have to be updated in spring.
• Epoxy. Durable, not afraid of chemical attack and precipitation, even metal tanks for alkalis and acids can be treated with epoxy paints. Bathtubs can also be refurbished with epoxy paint. Minus – they dry for a long time, do not tolerate temperatures above plus 60 degrees.
• Polyurethane. The durable structures painted with them can be used for a long time even in salt water. The film on the metal is elastic and dries quickly, adhesion is good. We could not find any cons, except for a fairly high cost.

Separately, one should highlight such a popular type of paint for metal today as hammer. Aluminum flakes are added to the composition, as a result, an attractive effect of hand hammering, a patterned pattern is obtained on the surface. It is with hammer paints that metal entrance doors are coated at the factory. The scaly structure of the paint becomes an additional barrier that protects the metal from moisture. Some manufacturers guarantee that hammer paints will last at least eight years.

Separately, we should highlight the compositions “three in one”. They contain a rust converter, an anticorrosive primer and metal enamel itself. Conveniently, to use such compositions, you do not need to thoroughly clean the surface, because the paint can be applied directly to the rust. No primer required.

Another separate type of paints for metal is compositions for galvanized surfaces. Regular paints will simply peel off on them in a short time. An important point – galvanized surfaces are not painted immediately, but at least after a year of service, when the metal becomes a little rough, it will age a little.

As for specific brands, there are good reviews about Hammerite metal paint, including those with a hammer effect. A can with a volume of 2.5 liters of such paint costs about 1800 rubles. Among the Russian ones, the primer-enamel for rust of the Yaroslavl production “SpetsNaz” stands out. A kilogram of such paint costs about 290 rubles.