What is required to paint over galvanized steel and why?
The alkalinity of the galvanized surface can over time react with the alkyd resin in the paint, thus producing “soaps” which make the paint peel off the surface. This doesn’t usually happen right away, but rather some time later the peeling can begin to occur, (weeks or months depending upon the exposure). Intercoastal’s Universal Primers and Universal Enamel/Primers are formulated to neutralize the alkalinity of the galvanized surface and thereby eliminate the peeling problem. Our Water-Based Primers and Enamels usually do not contain anything that can be attacked by the galvanized steel so they exhibit good adhesion to galvanized surfaces as well. As with any surface to be painted, the galvanized surface should be clean and dry and free of any dirt or oil or other surface contamination.
