Paint metal building interior beams

[fromnwmt]

I am FINALLY getting the interior looking closer to finished all walls are primer (Kilz) which made the red oxide color of the building stand out like a sore thumb i am going to do a two tone paint job with a stripe but am wondering what you have done with the metal beams prime & paint or ?

 

[Ohio Auto]

I sprayed all of my beams gray primer before doing anything else on the inside. Then went with drywall and two tone paint.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Apologies for the crappy cell photos.

I just painted my columns/beams with Rustoleum "Hammered" finish in silver. Rolled it on with a cheapo foam roller. Zero prep other than wiping dust off. Gets tacky fast, dries to touch (kinda) in 30 min, but hard as hell (for paint without hardener) after 7 days. I'm very pleased with it, YMMV.

 

[kingofrestriction]

I would at least make sure to chem-prime rust spots first. Even surface rust will eventually cause your pretty paint to peel.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I would at least make sure to chem-prime rust spots first. Even surface rust will eventually cause your pretty paint to peel.

King, Are you telling me or the OP?

My beams had an existing green-blue paint on them of unknown origin but it was tightly adhering so I just allowed that to be the primer coat. Where I chintzed out was not sanding it all or wiping it all with laquer thinner first (lazy!). Still held on extremely well!

 

[kingofrestriction]

King, Are you telling me or the OP?

My beams had an existing green-blue paint on them of unknown origin but it was tightly adhering so I just allowed that to be the primer coat. Where I chintzed out was not sanding it all or wiping it all with laquer thinner first (lazy!). Still held on extremely well!

Sorry for not being clear. My post was intended for the OP, although I suppose it is advice I would give in general.

 

[fromnwmt]

Thanks for the ideas guys, I am going to give them a quick once over with sander & primer since they have been out in the snow during build, (there is small surface rust on couple places) & since I have added bottom half wall, trim color they definitely need painted

 

[don long]

I pressure washed mine and then applied grey primer with an airless while I had a day laborer down below with the pressure washer keeping the floor wet so the primer overspray wouldn't stick to the floor
It worked great

 

[alfanoscarter]

I think is not really necessary to do pain on your metal building interior beams. It can be almost well polished and painted by an oil-based paint that can protect your interior beams.