Can you paint on top of powder coated metal? (2023)

What kind of paint will stick to powder coating?

If your customer repaints, recommend using thermosetting acrylic, epoxy, polyester or polyurethane enamels. Although they may not provide the same quality, air drying enamels including aerosol spray can paints will adhere as well.

Can you paint directly over powder coating?

Unfortunately, you cannot paint directly onto a surface after powder coating, as the liquid paint would not bind effectively with the flat and smooth finish. While it is difficult to paint after powder coating, it is not impossible; it just requires more preparation.

What happens if you paint over powder coat?

Challenges to Applying liquid paint over Powder Coating

The challenge with adhesion when painting over powder coating is that powder coating can often create a very flat, smooth surface. This can create challenges when trying to have a liquid coating properly bind to the underlying substrate.

What will adhere to powder coating?

3M™Scotch-Weld™ Urethane Adhesives offers a range of products that provide excellent adhesion to primed, painted, or coated metal surfaces. These products are dual-component, polyurethane adhesives. They cure at room temperature or with heat and, once cured, form tough structural bonds that are impact-resistant.

How do you prepare powder coated metal for painting?

Normally, powder coating has a slick surface which does not allow paint to stick. Sanding it down carefully will enable you to paint on it effectively. Wipe down the area you will be painting with an appropriate solvent cleaner. Finally, rinse it down with warm water, then allow it to dry.

What primer to use on powder coat?

At Keystone Koating, you can add zinc-rich or non-zinc primers to your powder coating service. After blasting the metal surfaces, primers can be applied for the following advantages: Primers and powders slow down the speed of oxidation. The application of powders is more consistent using primers.

Do you need to sand powder coating before painting?

The largest obstacle in painting over powder coating is getting the new paint to adhere to the surface. Powder coat is slick by nature and does not allow the new coating to stick. Lightly sanding the area with 180-grit sandpaper will typically remove enough of the coating to allow the primer to stick.

How long will powder coated last?

Powder coating finishes can last up to 20 years, but due to the consistent use, exposure to UV light, and outdoor environment may break it down faster. Different coatings also have varying lifespans. For instance, coatings that have fluoropolymers and urethanes can last longer.

What primer will stick to powder coat?

Paints and Coatings Resource Center, an online painting reference, recommends using any two-component epoxy primer over scuff-sanded powder coatings. Use a two-component polyurethane or single-component acrylic topcoat over this paint.

Can I spray Rustoleum over powder coat?

Rustoleum can prevent and stop the spread of rust on metal. If the powder coat had worn out and some parts had started rusting, you can still paint Rustoleum over it.

Can you touch up powder coat with spray paint?

Typical aerosol paints will not have the same performance as the powder but they can cover up an area cosmetically and you should be able to match the powder color pretty closely if not perfectly.