Metal Paint

Metal is a highly versatile material, used widely throughout the interior and exterior of our homes. Whether you are upcycling garden furniture, refreshing a peeling radiator or touching up rusted railings, knowing which paints to use and which to avoid will ensure the best possible finish for your painting project.   

Typically, metal items and surfaces can be painted with either water-based or oil-based paint. Both paint types can be used on metal material, as long as the product identifies itself as suitable for metal. Produced using different formulations, oil and water-based paints offer varying levels of durability, sheen and ease of application. So, which is best for your project? 

Perfect for creating a smooth, hard-wearing finish, oil-based metal paints ensure optimum durability and weather resistance, especially in external applications. Although oil-based paints do tend to dry a little slower, the final hard finish achieves an attractive level of sheen, masking imperfections brilliantly with top-quality protection against wear and tear.  

Used for internal and external applications alike, water-based paints offer a practical level of flexibility in the finish, accommodating expansion and contraction to minimise the risk of cracking. They maintain a strong level of colour pay-off with minimal fading, even when exposed to UV rays. If you despise overpowering paint smells or would just like a safer, more eco-friendly option, water-based paint also contain less VOC so won’t fill your room with that headache-inducing “new paint smell”.  

Metal paints are available in both tin and spray can forms – the choice of which should depend on the type of surface you are looking to paint.  

If you are coating a large, flat surface a roller or paint brush will offer precise, steady and even apply for the perfect, smooth finish. A smaller paintbrush can be used to work around corners and edges, meeting in the middle for complete consistency across the entire item.  

Smaller or more intricate surfaces such as metal bed frames, chairs and detailed ornaments will benefit from the consistent coverage of a metal paint spray can. Not only is the spray method much quicker and easier, but it also tackles tricky nooks and crannies very well, avoiding unsightly brush strokes and paint build-up.  

The best way of achieving high-quality results when painting metal is to pick a paint that perfectly accommodates the needs of the surface and environment. For example, metal is a fantastic heat conductor which is why it is commonly utilised in the construction of radiators and heaters. Because of the high temperatures that this kind of surface is exposed to, you will need to pick a specialist metal paint with good heat resistance to avoid peeling, melting and discolouration as the heat level fluctuate.  

Rust is another fundamental issue that you’ll probably face when dealing with metal, particularly in external projects. If you are planning to paint exterior metal or surfaces that regularly come into contact with moisture, look for a metal paint formulated with top rust resistance.  

Certain metal paints won’t adhere well to rust so a primer should be used to enhance adhesion and create a more durable, moisture-resistant surface base. Specially formulated external paints can, however, be applied directly onto rusted metal surfaces without the use of any pre-applied priming products. Make sure when browsing the range to pay close attention to the manufacturer’s advice on priming and preparation.