Summary for security door paint prep Discussion
Best way to prepare a security door for paint comes down to whether the hard-to-reach areas can actually be exposed to weather. Brad Hendricks asked how to protect tight spots on a welded steel security door, especially after adding a 3/32 perforated screen, since pre-painting would leave weld areas vulnerable and he wondered if a dipping process could protect those hidden areas and still accept paint. Marc Banks replied that he would simply spray the door. His reasoning was practical: if a spot is so inaccessible that a spray gun cannot reach it, then water and the elements are unlikely to reach it either. The thread does not recommend a special dip coating or elaborate workaround; instead, it suggests that normal spray painting is sufficient for the accessible surfaces, with the implication that the truly hidden areas are not a major rust risk in this application.
March 6, 2014
Q. Hello,
I have a steel security door that I have built for my home that I am unsure of how to get the best possible long term protection from rust.
My issue is that I am going to be welding on a 3/32 perforated steel screen, but when I do there will be some very tight areas (upper left of pics) that I am fairly sure will be unable to be painted or powder-coated. I have decided to paint it, and have already purchased the paint.
If I pre-paint those areas, then weld the perforated screen on, the weld will obviously melt the paint and create a possible area to rust.
My question is this; is there a dipping process that could be done that will give good rust protection in the tight area’s that I can’t get paint on, and be suitable to accept paint? If there is, I will just weld it up and be done with it.
Thank you!
Brad Hendricks
Hobbyist/jack of all trades – Phoenix, Arizona
A. Brad,
I would spray the door. If you can’t reach a spot on the door with a spray gun, then the water and elements aren’t going to be able to reach it either.
Marc Banks
Blacksmith – Lenoir, North Carolina USA