I have built several structures from steel tubing that are TIG welded for my shop (partly for the purpose of learning to TIG weld, partly to gain fabrication experience, and partly because the structure itself is needed). Of the four structures built, I have painted two of them and I haven't really been satisfied with the results and/or the process. I am getting ready to build some shelves or a mezzanine but before I do so I'd like to have my painting procedure sorted out. So far, I only have experience with Rustoleum products. I've found them recommended here before, I've used them for epoxy painting my floor and I haven't explored alternatives. I'm completely open to other brands, I just don't really know better. Where does Rustoleum products rank on the spectrum of paint brands, and I assume specific product lines are better with one brand vs another brand.
Here's my experience with painting:
Air compressor stand - Built this to hold my new Kaeser SM7.5 I got last year. To paint it, I used Rustoleum "Stops Rust" Gloss Protective Enamel on top of Rustoleum "Stops Rust" primer, both in a spray can (more like half a dozen of each). What I didn't like about this was that I had to build a temporary paint booth from PVC piping and plastic sheets and questionable ventilation (I used multiple shop vacs to push and pull air, plus I used a full tyvek suit and a Sperian full-face respirator with P100 Particulate/VOC/Acid cartridges). I followed directions, mainly, cleaning material well (I actually cleaned and primed the tubing before welding). Paint stuck fine, although took longer than I expected for the paint to become relatively hard (about a week and half). I definitely have areas that aren't very smooth because of over spray from painting other areas. If I used a paint booth with better ventilation it may have helped with the over spray. All in all, the finish is fine and durable enough for it's use.
Material Rack - Built this for holding 10-12ft long bars of material. It was working out fine for several years, but I decided to add some drawers to the bottom and I figured it'd be a good time to paint it as well. I decided to go w/Rustoleum 9100 Epoxy Mastic paint because I wanted it to be durable as material will be moved on and off the rack. My first attempt involved rolling it on and brushing some areas, but it ended up having extreme orange peel which I think is due to taking too long to apply (pot life is stated to be 2-4 hours, and I painted for about 3 hours). In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have been painting beyond an hour. I ended up letting it cure and then sanding it smooth. After that, I bought an HVLP paint spray gun (Devilbiss Startingline kit), built a booth around the rack, and sprayed it in 2 coats with the gun. It was really quite a bit of work to build the temporary spray booth. I also missed/lightly coated some areas, and over spray was still a bit of a problem. The results are good enough, but I'd really like to do better next time.
My next project may be a mezzanine for my shop. Space is limited where I want to build it, and creating a paint booth around it won't be a viable option. In fact, I'll probably want to paint some parts before welding them because the mezzanine will fill a gap between my bathroom and office, and I want the edges to be close to the wall which won't leave room for a paint brush. It would be really nice to have a paint system that self levels really (even after being applied w/a paint brush). I live in San Diego, we don't have tons of humidity, but my steel structures, left uncoated, do develop a bit of rust. I only need moderate protection and durability isn't a huge concern. I would like the paint to not look like it was my first time painting.
Please advise. What type of paint do you guys use for steel structures? How many of you guys are rolling/brushing it on without seeing "tool marks" (a brush or roller is a tool, right?)? I'm open to suggestions for different types of paints, but I'm not really willing to hire the painting out to a painting contractor (that's no fun). I also don't want to move my structures to a paint booth or even the parking lot (this would require, for large structures, to move machines out of the way first). Before I get more experience (read: trying out paints w/out asking anyone), I figured I'd ask for some opinions.
Thanks,
Matt
Here's my experience with painting:
Air compressor stand - Built this to hold my new Kaeser SM7.5 I got last year. To paint it, I used Rustoleum "Stops Rust" Gloss Protective Enamel on top of Rustoleum "Stops Rust" primer, both in a spray can (more like half a dozen of each). What I didn't like about this was that I had to build a temporary paint booth from PVC piping and plastic sheets and questionable ventilation (I used multiple shop vacs to push and pull air, plus I used a full tyvek suit and a Sperian full-face respirator with P100 Particulate/VOC/Acid cartridges). I followed directions, mainly, cleaning material well (I actually cleaned and primed the tubing before welding). Paint stuck fine, although took longer than I expected for the paint to become relatively hard (about a week and half). I definitely have areas that aren't very smooth because of over spray from painting other areas. If I used a paint booth with better ventilation it may have helped with the over spray. All in all, the finish is fine and durable enough for it's use.
Material Rack - Built this for holding 10-12ft long bars of material. It was working out fine for several years, but I decided to add some drawers to the bottom and I figured it'd be a good time to paint it as well. I decided to go w/Rustoleum 9100 Epoxy Mastic paint because I wanted it to be durable as material will be moved on and off the rack. My first attempt involved rolling it on and brushing some areas, but it ended up having extreme orange peel which I think is due to taking too long to apply (pot life is stated to be 2-4 hours, and I painted for about 3 hours). In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have been painting beyond an hour. I ended up letting it cure and then sanding it smooth. After that, I bought an HVLP paint spray gun (Devilbiss Startingline kit), built a booth around the rack, and sprayed it in 2 coats with the gun. It was really quite a bit of work to build the temporary spray booth. I also missed/lightly coated some areas, and over spray was still a bit of a problem. The results are good enough, but I'd really like to do better next time.
My next project may be a mezzanine for my shop. Space is limited where I want to build it, and creating a paint booth around it won't be a viable option. In fact, I'll probably want to paint some parts before welding them because the mezzanine will fill a gap between my bathroom and office, and I want the edges to be close to the wall which won't leave room for a paint brush. It would be really nice to have a paint system that self levels really (even after being applied w/a paint brush). I live in San Diego, we don't have tons of humidity, but my steel structures, left uncoated, do develop a bit of rust. I only need moderate protection and durability isn't a huge concern. I would like the paint to not look like it was my first time painting.
Please advise. What type of paint do you guys use for steel structures? How many of you guys are rolling/brushing it on without seeing "tool marks" (a brush or roller is a tool, right?)? I'm open to suggestions for different types of paints, but I'm not really willing to hire the painting out to a painting contractor (that's no fun). I also don't want to move my structures to a paint booth or even the parking lot (this would require, for large structures, to move machines out of the way first). Before I get more experience (read: trying out paints w/out asking anyone), I figured I'd ask for some opinions.
Thanks,
Matt