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Q&As since 1989


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Paint adhesion problem where magnet was removed from metal door

I am a homeowner and I used a magnet on my front door to hang a wreath. When I removed the magnet it left a shiny circular mark in the shape of the magnet. I discovered after after painting once and then painting plus sanding it a second time, the shiny mark still shows through the paint. Is there a technique for making the paint adhere to and conceal the mark left by the magnet? Do I need to sand it all the way down to the metal? It would be very helpful to know by Friday, 7-29-05, so I can relay this to a handyman who is going to repaint the door. Thank you.

Barbara Heidecke
Homeowner - Middleton, Wisconsin
2005

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2005

If the paint is peeling, it may have more to do with using enamel over latex or some other adhesion problem related to chemistry. I would sand down to the metal next time, then prime with Rustoleum primer for bare metal, then use Rustoleum or equivalent as a finish coat. Prime the whole door, I used this product (I say equivalent, but around my town, the only oil based enamel that is available is this particular brand.) You can buy it in primary colors off the shelf in quarts. I recently refinished my 275 gallon oil tank (outdoor location)using this product. Oil based paints are a pain nowadays because of cleanup, but I thought it was a good choice since I needed to sand rust spots from part of the tank, and thought the oil based paint would stand up to fuel oil drips which are bound to occur. I used about a pint to prime the tank, and less than a quart to finish coat, so you will have enough for two metal doors, at least.

  
Tom Pullizzi
Falls Township, Pennsylvania