Painting Bare Metal Without Primer

Another time you don t need primer is when bare metal is not exposed at all.

Painting bare metal without primer.

Self etching primer is ideal for painting metal and creates the foundation needed to bond with the paint. In addition the chemical makeup of paint is less binding than primer meaning it will flake off easier without a primer underneath it. You can get away with spot priming if only a few areas are down to bare metal if you re going over old paint you just need to clean it and sand lightly before painting though without a primer you may experience paint incompatibility in a few cases. Without the use of a primer in many cases oxidation will begin leading to rust and the eventual decay of the metal.

Follow the manufacturer s instructions on the side of the can for best results. A combination approach is best stripping large surfaces will go much faster with a wire brush and then use the sandpaper to get in the nooks and crannies. Most projects where you re going over a previously painted surface do not require the use of a primer. For the coverage test we apply one consistent coat to cardstock that.

Continue reading below our video of the day. The results show whether a paint hides well enough to not require a primer and also how well it stands up to wear and tear. Use a brush roller or spray can depending on your preference or the size and shape of the metal object. And considering what percentage of minor damage happens to bumpers and the fact that most bumpers today are plastic you can skip the primer step without much worry at all.

A cordless drill with a wire brush attachment is also an option and a good one if you are stripping away paint from a large surface area. Apply latex paint to the surface. Acrylic latex provides the best coverage on prepainted surfaces. This includes bare plastic.

If you re painting bare metal you need a primer one speced for metal even if the paint claims you don t.