Painting pre-glavanized unistrut

[Fisherguy]

I'm using pre-galvanized unistrut to mount solar panels on our RV roof, I want to paint it white.
I'm going to wipe it down with vinegar, after that do I use etching primer or Tremclad glavanized metal primer. I'm hoping the Tremclad primer and a coat or 2 of regular Temclad paint will work ?
Aluminum strut would be better but impossible to get up here in "small town BC".
Any advice appreciated.
Thx

<<< EDIT >>>
Thanks for all the advice, I talked to someone else at the electrical wholesaler, they are going to order me in some aluminum unistrut so I returned all the pre-galvanized pieces.

 

[strutaeng]

Sounds legit.

Look up your technical data sheets (TDS) to see what it says about it...

 

[Joemctag]

I'm using pre-galvanized unistrut to mount solar panels on our RV roof, I want to paint it white.
I'm going to wipe it down with vinegar, after that do I use etching primer or Tremclad glavanized metal primer. I'm hoping the Tremclad primer and a coat or 2 of regular Temclad paint will work ?
Aluminum strut would be better but impossible to get up here in "small town BC".
Any advice appreciated.
Thx

Vinegar and rinse is good. Mainly you don’t want to have an alkyd coat right on top of the zinc. It will “saponify” in time, Maybe a couple years. Then it’ll flake off big-time: water-base or maybe shellac- based primer. Alkyd as a topcoat is ok. Wish I’d known this a long time ago.

 

[Fisherguy]

Vinegar and rinse is good. Mainly you don’t want to have an alkyd coat right on top of the zinc. It will “saponify” in time, Maybe a couple years. Then it’ll flake off big-time: water-base or maybe shellac- based primer. Alkyd as a topcoat is ok. Wish I’d known this a long time ago.

Interesting, the Tremclad galvanized primer spray can says "opil based technology". You can buy water based but I don't need a gallon of it.

 

[MP&C]

They make the unistrut already finished in white, if you haven’t purchased yet.

 

[Shiftless]

How will those panels do in a 70+ mph wind when you’re driving down the interstate?

 

[Fisherguy]

They make the unistrut already finished in white, if you haven’t purchased yet.

Ya, something else you can't get up here.

 

[Fisherguy]

How will those panels do in a 70+ mph wind when you’re driving down the interstate?

Not a problem, had them on top of our old trailer for 10 years and they were still there, still worked and were in good shape when we sold it.

 

[The Cobbler]

FWIW, about 24 yrs ago I installed a new duct for the range exhaust fan, wiped it with vinegar , coated with tremclad galvanize primer . topcoated with alkyd beige . to this day it's held up just fine. mind you it's not been subject to outdoor factors

 

[nadogail]

Vinegar wipe down and then a primer recommended for your finish coat.

 

[bluedog225]

I’ve never heard of a vinegar wipe down for painting. Always used alcohol or mineral spirits. Is this a galvanized thing?

 

[The Cobbler]

yes, it etches the galvanizing so paint can bond to it.

 

[Dig Doug]

FYI

They also make strut in aluminum Grangers has it and a 10 ft stick was like $50-60, here in So Cal. I use it occasionally.

 

[Fisherguy]

FYI

They also make strut in aluminum Grangers has it and a 10 ft stick was like $50-60, here in So Cal. I use it occasionally.

Yes but like I said in my first post you can't get that where I live.
They make stainless unistrut too. BTW, can only imagine what they want for that.

 

[MP&C]

Ya, something else you can't get up here.

Does McMaster ship to your area? Here’s the white powder coated version, various lengths to choose from.

Strut Channel, Slotted Hole, White Powder-Coated Steel

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[OccupantRJ]

My experience with painted galvanized sliding door track outdoors has not been good even with vinegar prep. Paint fell off in three years.

 

[nbpt100]

I have used a self etching primer without out the vinegar. It only lasted about a year before peeling. I guess I will have to try the vinegar wipe down. Is it better if you leave it on for a period of time? A few minutes? Or just a quick wipe is all that is required for good results.????? Thanks.

 

[Fisherguy]

I have no idea, I'm just gonna wipe it down and let it dry then prime it.

 

[no704]

A little HF acid should do it.