13388. Galvanized roofing for bathroom walls

Letter 13388

Galvanized roofing for bathroom shower walls

In an inspired or ignorant moment, I thought it would look cool to use galvanized roofing (both corrugated and V-crimp) as paneling and tub surround in a bathroom. Do I need to put some kind of topcoat on it to keep it from corroding with the constant steam from the shower?

Thanks,

Stewart C
- Austin, Texas

Unfortunately yes. Galvanized coatings are not considered a decorative finish: the galvanizing will protect the steel, but the galvanizing itself will corrode with white rust. You would need to put a lacquer or clearcoat on this, and it will be very hard to get good adhesion without a pretreatment that ruins the metallic look. You could try scrubbing it down it with Trisodium Phosphate [link is to product info at Amazon], then washing with vinegar before lacquering -- but don't bet the farm on the lacquer sticking.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey

All the paint experts I've talked to suggest that no kind of varnish/laquer/urethane would adhere to galvanized. What about some kind of paste wax? Car wax?

Thanks,

Stewart C (returning)
- Austin, Texas

Hey Stewart,

You might want to try using Johnsons Paste Wax for hard wood floors. I had a similar posting for Galvanized counter tops; I got no repsonse so I went looking. Johnsons says you can use this wax for metals. I waxed an area, and then put dobs of ketchup, soy sauce, water, vinegar and I let it sit over night. All of the above wiped clean the next day. Whereas on the unwaxed part it left some residue. Give it a try and see what u think.

Dwayne Hagan
- Pottsboro, Texas

I am installing galvanized roofing tin in my master shower and I was wondering what I would clean it with on a weekly basis to remove soap scum, etc. without damaging the tin?

Linda Tifft
home owner - N Las Vegas, Nevada

I don't really think that's a great application for galvanized metal, Linda. Galvanized metal requires good natural ventilation to provide plenty of carbon dioxide in order to maintain a "tight" adherent corrosion product, and I would be afraid that you'll get white rust instead in a shower application.

But if you are determined, then Dwayne's recommendation sounds like a good one.

Ted Mooney
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey

I am hoping to install a galvanized countertop in a mudroom and would like to know if anyone has answers as to what type of sealant or finish should be used to protect it from stains.

Luke Puckett
homeowner - Scottsdale, Arizona

May 9, 2006

I'm writing in response to previous posts regarding using galvanized corrugated tin for shower walls. Some of these posts are quite old so I'm hoping that at least one of the attempted projects has been completed by now! Can anyone tell me whether or not you consider your project successful -- and if so, how did you prepare the galvanized tin for use in this water-y environment.

Thanks.

Dianne Graves
- Topeka, Kansas

March 5, 2007

I have read the postings and I am not certain there was a real response. I am wanting to utilize tin on my outside shower wall and the backsplash in my kitchen. Any response would be helpful!

Thanks,

Billy W. Sumrall
- Monticello, Mississippi

Hi, Dianne. I also would like to hear from people who have tried it rather than to continue to extrapolate that it probably won't be successful based on book knowledge :-)

Billy, there were responses that predicted lack of success for an indoor shower due to: 1). the galvanizing itself being unable to resist unsightly white rust in this wet but low airflow environment; 2). the unlikelihood of a durable lacquer or clearcoat being able to adhere to the galvanizing.

But an outdoor shower (plenty of air movement) may be a quite different thing, and indoor use in the drier environment of a kitchen might be fine.

Regards,

Ted Mooney
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey