Preparing and Painting Old Galvanized Sign

[darinhauer 0]

Any tips on correctly preparing and finish coating a 50 year old galvanized sheetmetal sign body to make sure the paint sticks and stays put? Starting with sandblasting seems appropriate either brush blasting with walnut shells or limestone based on research thus far.

[stamford signs 10]

When galvanized material was used , after it was preped properly, we wiped it down with white vinegar before painting.

have not done that in 30 plus years...so there may be newer alternatives. Good luck, Mike

[jordo223 0]

We also used vinegar with about 2 years before it fell off again. maybe vinyl or 040 alum. but the best result would be a new sign. I would not want the job but the same primer we use on aluminum is the best I have found. good luck

[chrishiggin29 2]

I may have to give that a shot. We're restoring a old porcelain hotel sign that is skinned out with galvanized metal.

Chris

[geraldi 29]

We use Mathews etching primer that we use on aluminum. Haven't painted a lot of galvanized but it seemed to do the job.

[Erik Sine 360]

We still us a lot of that "Jet Plate" for signs, galvanized plated or something rather. Harder to find these days but all prep is described as above

[darinhauer 0]

Thanks for the input folks

[Signsfast 53]

Funny, I was just talking to an old timer yesterday who used to make signs like this. they would acid wash the galvanized steel to etch it then prime and paint