Summary for stainless steel non-conductive Discussion
stainless steel non-conductive coatings are discussed as a possible but imperfect workaround for avoiding bonding. Josh asked whether metal paint, urethane alkyd, or elastomeric paint would make a stainless pool railing non-conductive so it would not need to be bonded. Trevor Crichton replied that elastomeric thermoplastics such as nylon or vinyl could probably prevent a 110V shock, but warned that even good coatings can crack and peel over time, so he personally would not rely on them. In a related older question, Anthony Dernellis asked whether transparent nail varnish could insulate a galvanized bolt; the reply, attributed to Ted Mooney and echoed by another answerer, said they had used nail varnish successfully for years in similar situations without problems. The thread overall suggests coatings can insulate metal in some cases, but long-term reliability is uncertain and caution is advised.
Q. So will any metal paint or like a urethane alkyd and elastomeric paint make stainless non conductive? Wanted to paint a pool railing so it wouldn’t have to be bonded.
Jw Josh
– Philadelphia Pennsylvania
June 5, 2024
A. Hi JW. You can coat stainless steel with elastomeric thermoplastics like nylon or vinyl, probably sufficient to prevent a 110V shock, but even in the best case it will crack and peel over the years. Personally I wouldn’t chance it, but that’s me and my circumstances, not necessarily yours.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
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⇩ Similar, related, Q&As — oldest first ⇩
Q. Hi,
we are looking for a finishing method to stop stainless steel from conducting electricity in our custom stainless steel switches
Ron Mangiantine
buyer – Providence, Rhode Island, USA
May 11, 2011
A. Regrettably stainless steel is a metal, so it will be an electrical conductor. The only way you can make it non conducting (i.e., insulated), is to coat it in a non-conducting layer, such as a paint or polymer. If it is not going to be exposed to any abrasive wear, you should be able to use an epoxy resin or polyurethane coating. However, if the coating is allowed to fail it will expose the steel and the assembly will be conducting again.
Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
Q. Dear Mr Crichton
I really admire the clarity of your answer.
May I go further in asking you whether the transparent nail varnish is a non-conducting material e.g. to make an ordinary galvanised bolt non-conducting?
I anxiously look forward to hearing your reply.
Best regards,
Anthony Dernellis
– Athens, Greece
December 17, 2016
A. Hi Anthony. Most organic coatings, including nail varnish, are non-conductive. But there is a difference between being a non-conductor and being a robust & dependable insulator.
Nail varnish isn’t even intended to be used on metal, so its adhesion may be poor, especially on galvanizing, where paint adhesion often is poor. The best way to insulate bolts is with micarta or fiberglass washers and bushings. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
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Need project assistance? $100/hr.
December 2016
A. Hi Anthony,
I completely agree with Ted’s comments and would only add that we have used nail varnish for many years with success in situations such as you describe. We have not had any problems so far!!
Blake Kneedler
Feather Hollow Eng. – Stockton, California