This type of metal, such as stainless steel, is used to produce a large number of objects around us. Often the latter are unpainted, since they do not need protection from moisture, and at the same time they can effectively shine with their metal surface. So the coloring here is mainly due to individual design goals. Therefore, if you, say, want to paint corrugated stainless steel black, this means that this color is necessary as part of the interior design, and it is more preferable than the natural color of the metal.
Difficulties in painting stainless steel
Faced with the need to paint stainless steel, many understand the complexity of the process - with the standard approach, the paint simply does not adhere to this smooth surface, since the material lacks adhesion. However, this does not mean that it is impossible to paint this metal. You just need to choose the right paint and properly approach the surface preparation process. At the same time, for many it will be a discovery that copper, stainless steel, aluminum, and galvanized metal are also subject to corrosion, albeit to a much lesser extent. Therefore, they also need to be protected, and in some cases it is highly advisable to paint them.
Features of stainless steel
Corrosion-resistant steel is a widely used material. The variety of physical properties of stainless steel is explained by the addition of various impurities during its production. The characteristics of the material are affected by the amount and type of additives. Therefore, among the brands there are alloys that over time (with prolonged use in an aggressive environment) lose their anti-corrosion properties. For this reason, a problem arises regarding methods of protection, and painting becomes a solution. To understand how to paint stainless steel, you need to find out what properties this material has. Features of stainless steel in comparison with other metals and alloys:
- Increased strength. Due to its strength, steel copes with significant physical loads without losing its characteristics (primarily its shape).
- Impact resistance. Changes in operating conditions and aggressive environments do not lead to loss of properties, which increases the service life of stainless steel structures.
- High temperature resistance. Due to its heat resistance, steel does not lose its shape, does not change dimensions and retains its properties at high temperatures.
- Environmentally friendly. Minimized oxidation processes reduce the level of harmful effects on the environment. The absence of harmful impurities contributes to the fact that stainless steel is widely used in the food industry.
- Corrosion resistance. A number of alloys are not susceptible to rust even when exposed to alkali and acid.
- View. Stainless steel is clean, shiny and retains these properties for a long time.
Please note: Painting chipboard
The specific grade of steel is selected taking into account the purpose of use. The abundance of additives makes it possible to obtain the necessary alloys. In some cases, additional processing is required, for example, painting stainless steel. The characteristics of the material being painted make it appropriate to use powder coatings.
Stainless steel
Preparing stainless steel for work
The quality of the final result directly depends on this stage, so it should be carried out as responsibly as possible. The process consists of several stages:
- We study the surface. The surface to be painted must be carefully examined for unevenness or defects. If they are not very large, then it is better to abandon the idea of leveling. The thing is that a perfectly smooth and polished steel surface adheres extremely poorly to paint, and the quality of its painting will be mediocre;
- We give the surface roughness. If the same wood is polished before painting, then with steel everything is different - we must make it matte and slightly rough to the touch. The easiest way to do this is to use a wire brush, but this treatment is only suitable for relatively small surfaces. If the area is large, then it is better to automate the process using a grinding attachment with an abrasive disk of medium grain size. This stage is especially important when processing a surface polished to a shine;
- Cleaning from dirt and dust. After the process of giving the surface a rough appearance, the latter must be cleaned of dust. A simple cloth soaked in water is ideal for this. Try to go over the entire surface, as there should be no loose fragments left on it. For the same reason, work should not be done in a dusty room;
- Degreasing. Grease stains, which may even be invisible to you, greatly reduce the adhesion of paint to the surface. Therefore, the latter must be treated with special acid- or alkaline-based compounds. A popular method is to use an ammonia composition. At the same time, we must not forget about protecting the respiratory tract with a respirator and ventilating the room. Finally, you can use a four percent solution of simple soda, available in every home.
Important! It is necessary to work on painting only after the surface is completely dry.
DIY painting
At home, you can paint stainless steel with liquid paint. They also produce paints and varnishes in the form of aerosols. In order for the paint to last as long as possible, it is important to take the preparatory work seriously. The painting process is very similar to the method of painting regular metal. The first step is to prepare the surface; the following steps are included in the preparation:
- before painting the metal, it must be cleaned with a grinding machine or regular sandpaper;
- after cleaning, the surface is treated with some kind of degreasing agent; you can use ordinary baking soda dissolved in water, or some kind of organic solvent.
Before painting stainless metal, be sure to follow the above procedures, so you can achieve a good painting result. After the preparatory work, you can start painting:
- the coloring mixture is thoroughly mixed;
- when painting with a spray can or spray gun, it must be held perpendicular to the surface to be painted;
- after the first layer of paint has been applied and it has dried, it is necessary to paint the stainless steel again with a second layer, thanks to which the paint composition will adhere perfectly to the product;
- To make the surface of the material shiny, you can apply one or two layers of varnish after the paint has dried.
Important! In order to paint stainless metal with high quality, it is important to apply the paint to a clean, grease-free and dry surface, in which case the adhesion (adhesion) of the paint and varnish material to the stainless steel will be maximum.
Powder coating
This method is by far the most effective, but it is difficult to apply in everyday life. Heat-resistant paint in powder form is applied to the surface using a spray gun, after which the painted part is placed in a chamber in which the temperature reaches 200 degrees Celsius. As a result, a very durable film appears on the surface, which is not only resistant to external influences, but can also be made in various design variations - from glossy or matte to imitation of various surfaces.
Important! For the same reason, we will not analyze the method of painting by creating an oxide film, which is clearly difficult to implement at home.
How to paint stainless steel
The dyeing workflow is carried out under certain conditions. Separately, it should be noted that stainless steel is painted by the method of forming an oxide film on its surface. This method requires oxygen in the atmosphere. As a result, the painted surface changes color thanks to the oxide film, leaving its original appearance intact. A matte or shiny product will remain that way.
The staining of stainless steel and the resulting color depends on the following factors:
- differences between voltages;
- current density;
- time.
Thanks to this well-known method of electrochemical coloring, it is possible to create a unique color scheme of various colors and shades. Stainless steel also becomes more protected in its properties.
A fairly common method of applying a coloring composition to stainless steel is powder coating. The process of applying such a dye does not take much time. The addition of different pigments produces different colors. Powder coating can produce a matte or glossy surface. But without the help of special equipment, this coloring method cannot be carried out.
To ensure that stainless steel surfaces are painted correctly, you must follow the attached instructions. Painting at home with liquid paint requires compliance with the following rules:
- Before painting, the metal surface is sanded.
- Having completed this treatment, the surface of the stainless steel must be degreased.
- You can paint metal with regular car paint from an aerosol can.
- The composition only needs to be applied in two layers.
By following these rules, you can achieve excellent results when painting various stainless steel products. If you do not follow them, the paint will quickly crumble and all the work and costs of purchasing it will be in vain.
How to paint stainless steel yourself (1 video)
Enamels for metal (25 photos)
Painting with liquid paints
Since this method is best suited for independent use, we will dwell on it in more detail. Automotive paint is best suited for this process. In this case, it is best to add hardeners to it, which should speed up the setting process as much as possible.
As an alternative, you can go through the range of modern paint and varnish manufacturers, choosing those types that are suitable for painting steel surfaces. Moreover, such paints and varnishes are often sold together with a primer composition, which will help increase the adhesion of the coating to the surface.
Mistakes when painting stainless steel
If you violate the basic rules of painting, you will not be able to paint stainless steel well. The paintwork material can become deformed due to the following factors:
- non-compliance with humidity and air temperature during painting;
- lack of a primer layer, which must be applied before painting with car paint;
- excessive addition of varnish to the composition of the paint and varnish material, due to which the paint will change its shade;
- adding an insufficient volume of hardener to the paint mixture, as a result of which the painted layer will be brittle and brittle;
- insufficient treatment of stainless steel with a degreasing compound before painting.
Painting Tips
- Work must be carried out at positive temperatures from 5 to 35 degrees with air humidity not exceeding 80 percent;
- It is necessary to paint only with a spray bottle. Standard tools such as a roller and brush are not suitable for this process. Using this tool, paint the surface in a straight line. In this case, each new line should partially overlap the previously drawn one. Try to work quickly so that the paint hardens more or less simultaneously. Hold the spray bottle at a 90 degree angle to the surface at a distance of approximately 0.2 meters;
- Before placing the paint in the spray bottle, the solution must be stirred well to achieve complete homogeneity;
- The surface must be painted in at least two layers. In some cases, the paint is applied three times. At the same time, it is necessary to carry out work on applying the next layer only when the previous one has dried;
- After painting the surface, it can be varnished to protect it from external influences. For these actions, you can use a clear varnish designed for yachts.
Features of powder coating
Stainless steel paint can be powder or liquid; it is rarely found in aerosols.
Experts prefer powder paint. It can be applied using a spray bottle.
Painting stainless steel with powder paint further forces the product to melt at a temperature of 200 degrees. This method can only be used if special ovens are available. The resulting film has many advantages:
- creates a corrosion-resistant material;
- prevents damage to the surface;
- not afraid of various temperatures and the effects of aggressive environments;
- an absolutely even layer is obtained;
- Using special additives you can get the desired color.
This method of painting various stainless steel products at home is very difficult. By applying powder paints for steel, you can achieve the desired effect and get a wide selection of colors and shades. The method of powder coating of stainless steel can only be used in enterprises with special thermal equipment.
The powder coating manufacturing process requires maintaining high temperatures. Such processing under production conditions is carried out in thermal ovens. Only removable products can be painted in this way; painting at the installation site is not possible.
Powder coating lasts a long time and retains its original appearance and color.
What else can you coat stainless steel with?
The steel surface can also be coated with high-quality oil paint, a metal-grade wax coating, and even nail polish. Naturally, the latter can only make inscriptions and otherwise decorate the surface, and not paint it fully.
You can also use patina. These chemical materials are created to change the color or surface of a metal. However, some of these products are applied cold and some are applied hot. After application, the surface is often coated with wax.
Choosing the right paint
When deciding what to paint stainless steel with, you need to study the properties of available paints and methods of using them. In addition, you need to decide on the choice of paint.
The range of powder paints results in a unique decorative effect. As a result of this coloring, a protective film is formed. The paint is applied with a spray gun, and then the product is subjected to heat treatment at a temperature of two thousand degrees. Naturally, this method of coloring is impossible to carry out at home.
Powder coating results in coatings of a wide variety of colors. Such products can be selected for any interior. Powder coating is strong and durable.
As for painting various products with liquid paint yourself, it is easier to get a black color. In addition, the stainless steel surface can be painted to resemble wood. The following advantages of powder coating include:
- waste-free production using powder paint;
- durability of the painted coating;
- minimum costs for such work.
When painting stainless steel, use the same dye as for plain steel. The only difference is the preparation. When choosing a method for painting stainless steel, you need to proceed from your capabilities. To extend the life of stainless steel products, you need to correctly decide on the choice of material for painting them.
