Paint for steel building frame?

[Keithinsc]

I've been in the process of building a steel building. So far we have the floor and anchor bolts set. This weekend we are starting on putting all the beams and purlins up.

Once I have that done and before I hang the tin, I'd like to paint all the red steel. It is red primer, and the steel mill told me to use an oil based paint.

Anyone have a suggestion? I'd be spraying it, and I figure I'd need 5-10 gallons to do the whole skeleton. Oil based latex? Enamel? Favorite brand names?

Once we have some decent progress, I'll start a build thread, but until then I'll be trying to get everything on site so I can keep the progress moving forward.

Thanks,
Keithinsc

 

[Nighttrain]

Keithinsc. I used Rustolium. Gloss Black Enamel. Sprayed it after it was up. Used about 5 gallons total. 40x60 build. Painted everything from 7' up. Very happy with the finish.

 

[Keithinsc]

Nighttrain,

Thanks, I'm doing a 30x60, and was pretty much guessing on the amount. 5 gallons gives me a good target.

Did that cover all your girts and beams (above 7') ? I'm looking to do something better than the dull red primer. And I think a strong gloss finish would be easier to keep clean of dust. (like it will ever actually get cleaned!)

Thanks,
Keithinsc

 

[1320stang]

You could use implement paint from Tractor Supply. Around here, when they put up a pipe fence, they use a lambswool wash mitt to apply the paint.

 

[Nighttrain]

Take a look at picture #4 of my post #16 in my garage build. You can kinda see the painted steel. The over spray was all over. we did cover the cement and anything elese. No sheet metal was up yet when I sprayed it. I do like 1320Stang idea of using a mit. If your close to neighbors car, house etc. may be worth it. I am very glad I painted it. The red metal just does not look good. I had Home Depot color match my brown trim with paint and have painted the outside red metal to match.

 

[REAL HOT SCHITT]

Hi, paint all cuts and xposed bear steel thats untreated with with a thick coat of zinc rich primer then spray the frame with oil based cat yellow or hitachi orange from the caterpillar or hitachi dealer....they are real mans colors.

 

[brownbagg]

i just put my up and started working in it, nobody told me I had to paint the sucker, been ten years and its fine

 

[rodm1]

Remover all the post numbers that are on them they will bleed threw your pint.

 

[Keithinsc]

Good suggestion on the numbers bleeding thru the paint. Only a few of mine are actually visible. It was a bit of a headache doing inventory, most of them were illegible. I had to measure most of the beams and mark them myself with a Sharpie.

Cat Yellow would be great, but I think the Wife would object. I was thinking light gray. But JD green would probably work, it would be a close match to the siding.

I was at Agri Supply this afternoon, huge rainstorm killed my plans to hoist the bays into place today. Looked at the implement paint. $28 a gallon, I figure I'd need around 10 gallons, and that is getting pricey! They did have oil based latex, $50 for 5 gallon, but only in flat. I want to use gloss finish to be easy to wipe down.

I know I dont 'need' to paint the framework, but the red steel has been in the weather for a few weeks, and it has gotten blotchy from the rain. Besides, I just got a used commercial paint sprayer, and I need an excuse to try it out! Good advice about the overspray, but I'm in the sticks. The only thing that can get overspray on it is a few acres of pine trees. That reminds me, I better move the camper first

Any suggestion where to get 5 gallons of enamel cheap??

 

[Nighttrain]

Try your Habitat re-sale store. Sometimes they have "never opened" paint. Never hurts to ask. Funny about the over spray, my wife just mentioned to me yesterday that the side windows on her car still has black over spray on them. And it was parked up wind. Good luck on your paint job. It will be worth it.

 

[sberry]

I did mine white, took gallons or so with hi power airless and used common enamel. Its all inside, I wasn't flawless but sure makes a difference with light, makes the place feel bigger.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Just remember, you get what you pay for. This is especially true with paint, don't get too cheap.

 

[crs1414]

I would put DTM {direct-to-metal} on it. It is latex based so easier clean-up. Excellent adhesion to metal. Comes in gloss,semi-gloss. If you have a Sherwin-Williams,Duron, or MAB paint store close by,stop in to ask/price.