Painting and Varnishing Metal: What You Need to Consider

8 min reading time

Table of content

1. Which metal objects can I paint?
2. Ideas from the MissPompadour painting community
3. Preparation: How to choose the right colour for your project
4. Paint metal professionally: Instructions from MissPompadour
5. FAQ: Frequently asked questions
6. You need these tools for painting metal

Which metal objects can I paint?

In principle, you can paint all metal objects. Decorations, banisters, doors, fridges, window frames - there is hardly anything metallic that our customers have not already painted with our colours. MissPompadour has a solution for almost all projects. You can find more detailed information in this article here.

Ideas from the MissPompadour painting community

Why should you paint metal? Because this way you can match almost everything in your home and outside to your living style. Your black banister doesn't match the freshly painted staircase? The flower pot on the windowsill doesn't match the new sofa? The heating urgently needs a new coat of paint and you want the handles on your chest of drawers to match the new colour? No problem! Take a look at what our customers have already painted and let yourself be inspired!

MissPompadour Red with Flamingo

Before After

Design piece

- There was no room for classic white goods in this beautiful kitchen. Painted, the fridge looks really classy!

MissPompadour Orange with Salmon

Before After

Colour kick

- Fridges don't have to be boring! Orange with Salmon gives this one a fruity, fresh flavour.

MissPompadour Red with Merlot

Before After

Noble

- The elegant look of Red with Merlot is further emphasised by the tone-on-tone design.

MissPompadour Green with Ocean

Before After

Harmonious

- The white radiator was a disruptive factor. Painted, it takes a back seat and now matches the wall perfectly.

MissPompadour Orange with Tangerine

Before After

Like new

- Bright colour effects are particularly suitable in the garden - to match the surroundings.

MissPompadour Beige with Cashmere

Before After

Decent

- Even small changes can have a big effect!

MissPompadour Grey with Black

Before After

High quality

- The newly painted garage door enhances the whole building.

MissPompadour Red with Sweden

Before After

Alive

- Painting the door makes it look fresh again. The old protective metal paint did not have to be sanded off.

Preparation: How to choose the right colour for your project

Which metal do you want to paint?

Basically, you can simply paint over the base coat of any metal that has already been painted with a metal paint. For raw surfaces, it is always a good idea to prime with MissPompadour To Bond & Block. Steel, stainless steel and sheet metal are uncomplicated. Here you should simply clean thoroughly and then apply the primer. Raw iron should first be treated with a rust protection primer. If your metal already has rusty spots, sand them down well and also use a rust protection primer before priming.

No paint will really last on chrome-plated surfaces. Just like on anodised aluminium.

Pro tip:Anodised means that the metal is coated with a protective layer that makes it much more robust. It's best to take a coin and scratch the surface. If there are scratches - no problem, you can paint it. However, if there are no scratches, the aluminium is anodised and therefore unfortunately cannot be painted. Unfortunately, varnish does not adhere to the protective layer.

You can simply paint copper with our varnishes. If there is already corrosion or verdigris, it is best to sand it down thoroughly. Don't forget a face mask!

Galvanised sheet metal should not be freshly galvanised. Older galvanised metals can be painted as normal.

Are you interested in our metal varnishes? Then take a look at our page on metal substrates!

What effect do you want to achieve?

You're spoilt for choice, because every one of our paint colours is suitable for metal. If you want an easy-care, robust surface, then MissPompadour Eggshell Varnish is the right choice for you. For a matt finish, choose MissPompadour Matt Varnish.

Where do you want to paint?

Whether indoors or outdoors, metals are usually very easy to paint. We have already described above which varnish you need for interior painting. MissPompadour Eggshell Varnishes are also ideal for garage doors, letterboxes, fences and more. Why not take a look at our blog about painting garden furniture?

Paint metal professionally: Instructions from MissPompadour

Step 1: Choose a varnish

Choose a colour shade that you like. Because all our varnishes are very suitable for painting metal.

Tip: As we have so many colour shades to choose from, simply order our colour cards in advance to make sure you find the perfect colour.

Step 2: Prepare the surface

If the old varnish is still intact, you can paint without sanding. However, if there are damaged areas and flaking, you should first sand them smooth or off. Rust must also be sanded away completely. If you want to remove the old varnish completely, you can simply sand it off. You can easily fill any holes or imperfections with To Fill - MissPompadour Filler.

Step 3: Clean metal parts

Use To Clean - MissPompadour Cleaner and lukewarm water to ensure that the surface is completely free of dust and grease. Then rinse well with clean water so that there is no cleaner residue left. This also applies to all other cleaners.

Step 4: Prime surfaces

Treat raw iron or sanded areas first with a rust protection primer and then with MissPompadour To Bond & Block. You can use To Bond & Block directly on other metals. After priming, wait at least 3 hours or overnight.

Step 5: Painting

Now apply the layers of colour. Apply as many coats as you need until you are happy with the result. Often 2 coats are enough for a perfectly opaque result. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly. On average, the next coat can be applied after 4 - 5 hours, but depending on the ambient conditions, it may take longer for the paint to dry sufficiently to the touch. Ensure good air circulation and medium temperatures so that the paint can cure properly. The surfaces will become more stable from day to day and will be very stable after 10 - 14 days.

Step 6: Seal the varnish

Finally, seal the varnish with the To Seal - MissPompadour Topcoat if you expect it to be exposed to heavy loads. You are on the safe side with it. A protective coating creates a robust surface, especially with the matt varnish qualities. Please note that To Seal is only suitable for indoor use.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

1. Before painting

Which colour is suitable for metal?

Each of our stable varnishes is suitable for different metals. We particularly recommend our MissPompadour Eggshell Varnish. You can use it to create a durable and hard-wearing surface with a silky matt lustre.

Do I need a primer?

Yes, in many cases. For raw iron and metal where you have already sanded off rust spots well, first use a rust protection primer and then MissPompadour To Bond & Block. For all other raw metals, you can use To Bond & Block directly. If the metal you want to paint already has a good covering coat without rust spots, you can dispense with the primer.

Which brushes are suitable for painting metal?

Our fine MissPompadour brushes are perfect for painting all corners, edges and hard-to-reach areas. If you have larger, flat surfaces to paint, you can also paint them wonderfully with the paint roller for water-based varnishes.

How do I deal with rust?

Rust should always be sanded off as completely as possible so that it does not continue to wax and then crack the varnish. Then prime with a rust protection primer to prevent rust from forming again and then with MissPompadour To Bond & Block.

Can painted metal be painted over?

Yes, you can simply paint over old anti-rust paint as long as it doesn't flake off. You can also sand them lightly before painting, so the metal paint adheres better.

2. To Paint

How often do you have to paint metal?

As a rule, you can achieve an opaque result with 2 coats of our varnishes. However, depending on the substrate, varnish colour and painting technique, more may be necessary.

Do I need a topcoat?

Whether a topcoat is required always depends on how heavily the painted surfaces will be loaded. A metal railing and handrail, for example, can be exposed to heavy loads. Decorative objects, on the other hand, usually do not need a topcoat. You can make all heavily used surfaces even more robust with MissPompadour To Seal. The matt qualities in particular become more resilient.

How do I paint a radiator?

All of the above tips and advice apply to radiators. For example, you can paint the radiator with the same shade of MissPompadour Matt Varnish that you paint the wall behind it. This way, it simply disappears into the wall. Take a look at our blog on painting radiators.

You need these tools for metal painting

You will need these other materials to paint metal objects:

Sandpaper or sanding pad: For all areas where old varnish has flaked off or rust has formed. These should be sanded first.
Cleaning cloth and bucket to thoroughly clean your workpiece first: The surface must be free of dust and grease for your paint to adhere well.
Masking tape for masking: It is best to always remove the masking tape when the paint is still wet, this will give you a clean edge.
plastic drop cloth or newspaper: To protect the parts that are not to be painted.
Brush, varnish roller and paint tray: Use the brush to paint corners and edges and hard-to-reach areas and the varnish roller for larger areas.