Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

Here are some creative ways to paint and topcoat stainless steel. Customize your project by using techniques such as painting, powder painting, waxing, patinating or varnishing. Transform an ordinary object into an extraordinary one using simple but effective methods and make the most of your metal. The beauty of stainless steel is that by and large it does not need any additional processing, except for grinding or sanding, which the manufacturer performs at the last stage. However, if you're looking for a way to make your piece stand out, or you just need to apply paint or texture over metal, here are a few ways to try.

Steps

1. 1 Use a high quality oil paint and spray or apply with a brush or roller, depending on the final texture you want..
2. 2 See a professional powder coating professional (look in the reference). It is an electrostatic process in which a plastic / epoxy powder is applied in a very thin layer over the entire surface and then melted. The advantage of powder coating is its variety, a very wide range of available colors and textures, as well as the ability of the powder to fill small voids and cracks on the surface without forming drops and drips.
3. 3 Choose a suitable wax finish. It should be the high quality coating on the market today that is specifically designed for metal.
4. 4 Choose the most appropriate patina. These are chemicals designed to cause changes in the surface and color of a metal. Some of them are used hot, others are applied cold. There are plenty to choose from. They also make your project stand out while maintaining the natural finish. Often waxes are used after the patina to fix the result.
5. 5 Cover the metal with varnish. Offshore varnish is another way to topcoat steel structures. The advantage of varnish is that it is easy to apply, however your work will appear to be obviously "varnished", which is not always desirable. The varnish is very easy to touch up later and to redo, during the renovation process later, without completely changing the coating.
6. 6 Try nail polish. For painting small areas or writing on metal, nail polish holds very well and looks great. It is available in every shade imaginable, although reds are more common.

Tips

• Always follow label directions and select manufacturer carefully for best results.
• Always work in a dust-free environment to avoid contamination.
• Make sure each coat or process is completely finished and dry before applying new coats.
• Before powder painting, sandblasting is sometimes necessary, during which the metal is treated, as a rule, with iron phosphate to better fix the paint.
• Always start by cleaning the metal. Use degreasing solvents such as alcohol, acetone or methyl ethyl ketone for this.

Warnings

• Always work in a well ventilated area.
• Never mix chemicals outside the manufacturer's instructions.
• Wear chemical resistant gloves and face / eye protection.
• Always wear adequate respiratory protection.