Can You Paint Galvanized Steel Pipe

The reason you get conflicting answers philip is that painting galvanized materials is a difficult problem but no one is going to say it s impossible because it s not.

Can you paint galvanized steel pipe. Galvanized water pipes are a necessary but often unattractive feature in many homes. The secret to painting galvanized steel is white vinegar. The galvanizing process is used to protect steel drainage duct and water pipes as well as metal gutters from corrosion but leaves an insipid grayish patina that actually resists certain types of paint on visible water pipes. To paint galvanized steel do your prep work and you ll have a paint job that lasts for seasons.

All you have to do is simply apply the vinegar to a clean rag and then wipe down the galvanized surface. Whether the pipes are made from copper galvanized metal black iron or cast iron the keys to proper sealing and adhesion are preparation of the material and priming. If you do it the wrong way though peeling paint and bleed through can make the problem worse. Galvanized metal is difficult to paint because it s coated with a layer of oil to prevent white rust.

Alkyd and oil based paints may seem to stick at first but the oily layer eventually sheds the paint. If you have a kitchen then you probably already have this handy solution. The last time i purchased it was about 12 for a quart which will probably do galvanized trim on several. Alodine is a clear liquid that can be wiped on then rinsed with plain water.

Plus no one can say what s good enough for you. You can use a dedicated galvanised metal paint or yo. For the most dependable results look for paints that are formulated specifically to bond to galvanized steel. White vinegar is both effective and non toxic so it is much safer to use than your average industrial solvent.

Clean use a water based degreaser to wash off the surface oil and passivator layer. The enamels in alkyd paints can react with the slick zinc finish on a galvanized steel surface leading to poor adhesion and peeling. When painting galvanised steel you have to be aware that some primers and metal paints are not suitable. It can also be used for preparing aluminum for paint.