Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


-----

Best chip and weather/corrosion resistance

Which finish has the best combined chip and corrosion resistance? I have a steel sporting goods part that receives some wear/banging and is used outside for half it's life. I am looking for something that is of coarse cheep to apply but resists chipping and weathering. Maybe you can tell me which is the best and then secondly which is cheep and pretty good.

Christopher Busuito
Autumn Quest - Paris, Tennessee, USA
2005

---

The spray paints that you get from the local home improvement store are very good for what you are doing, but they will only work(as with any paint)if you prep the surface properly first. Make sure that you sand off any of the old coating or rust. Wipe the surface with alcohol, spray on a primer made for metal, wet sand it with 400 grit wet/sandpaper(just breaking the surface of the primer, don't take off too much or you will hit metal and have to start again)clean the surface with a wet towel and then alcohol again, use a tac cloth on it and then spray the color of you choice using a paint made for metal. It will tell you on the can if the paint is meant to be used for outside applications. You didn't say how big the project is, but I'll bet you can get a decent looking and durable part for about twenty-five bucks with some patience and elbow grease.

Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina
2005