Painting Steel Door Frames

NJPainter

What method do you recommend for finishing steel door frames, HVLP, Airless or by hand?
I've seen other units in the building rolled out poorly with residential gloss. I'm looking to do this the right way.

katoman

First of all, I'm no painter. But do spray my own cabinet work. I had one job with steel frames that I ended up doing. I used my HVLP with oil based paint, and the finish was awesome!

Today I wouln't be using the oil paint, so can't really comment on how latex would finish up, but probably pretty good. I use flowetral in the latex.

thom

from my experience you can spray latex fine with an hvlp sprayer and get a good finish on steel. If you haven't sprayed steel before, it works differently than wood. Because it absorbs zero and because it is so smooth, it will run and sag with less paint volume than a wood door. It's easy to apply to much paint. Have a brush ready until you get the hang of it.

NJPainter

Thanks guys...

I understand the non-porosity of the metal and have the spray touch down. That's all I used to do years ago. Fix the walls, cover and spray. Lot of rehabs and bank-owned properties...

I've been allotted two days to get this done and wanted to approach it in the best way. I'd prefer to spray jambs, then tape off before spraying and backrolling wall primer but if the time frame won't allow it, I'll have to roll out the jambs.

Rcon

It's easy enough to do that with an airless, just use a fine finish tip - a 310 works well, just move quickly. Solvent prime lightly then 2 thin latex topocats. Should dry enough overnight for you to tape off with green and spray walls the following day. Just keep the coats fairly thin and it will dry.

NJPainter

that sounds good...

I want the best possible finish on there for the price. A quick, strong cure that won't get ruined by the other trades.

Rcon

Have you tried the Graco FF tips? I find that I have to thin my material by 10-15% for them to work their best...other than that the tips will clog. Best to strain your material first as well.

A solvent primer hitting the drywall won't hurt it in the least.

For paint, we do not have an SW here, so I couldn't tell you anything about their paints. Durability wise, depending on the project i'll use anything from HP2000 to Cabinet Coat by InsulX, the latter being around $70/Gal. (contractor price).

Another option is to spray a pigmented pre-cat directly to the metal. Not something I would entertain if the place is occupied though, and if you go that route - DO NOT SMOKE ANYWHERE NEAR YOUR WORK. At least until the fog clears. Pre-cat's give the best finish with excellent durability and super fast drying but are dangerous to use. Make sure your insurance is up-to-date.

vandyandsons

usually airless: 2 coats

THINKPAINTING

Graco 211 tip will work just fine, been doing it that way for years...........the only issue weve had latley is rust bleeding through pre-primed steel frames. Be carefull using latex......

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NJPainter

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NJPainter

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NJPainter

The waterbased precat I'm looking at is :

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/pro/...poxy/index.jsp

StefanC

Most steel frames I come across are pre-primed.

That WB Pre-cat epoxy is some nice stuff though.

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NJPainter

Pre-cat was excellent.

timmyjohn03

The substrate being steel needs any rust removed, and primed. Just use grey for an oxide primer.
Latex works great with an airless. Clear base airless applied is really the only way to go for production.
I've sprayed many frames off or installed. If the frames are going to be scuffed by flooring or other trades just put on the one coat. Really they generally look perfect anyway. If your spraying finish on frames, make sure all caulking work is done properly.
If it is cool, and your in primary stages of construction, check your frames as your doing them. Using a razor knife, and sandpaper to sand runs makes for a bad day.
Follow the job specifications, whatever the architect wants.

Rcon

I think they all do to one degree or another. Only way to avoid getting paint goop on you work is to do a continuous spray from one side of the frame to the other without breaking. Easier said than done though

NJPainter

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