painting metal shed

[3riverschick]

I was hoping to get one of those low cost, Arrow sheds from Lowes/HD to use as a coop for my chooks. My only issue is that all of my outbuildings (house, guinea coop, horse barn) are the same color and I would want this coop to match. I've read about how you have to use abrasives on galvanized metal to paint it and the same would be true with vinyl coated/enamel coated metal.
Has anyone had any experience with this? Or painting one of the poly resin sheds seems to be the same process...

I would love to hear any pointers or experiences with doing this sorta thing!
Thank you!

Hi,
Our old farmhouse is sided with US Steel siding. It's being painted this year because a hailstorm destroyed the paint job. We had many of the concerns you face. Go to Sherwin Wlliams. They used to make a paint called SWP (Sherwin Williams Paint) for metal suraces. It was discontinued years ago. They have a new paint for this purpose called "Direct To Metal". It can be dyed different colors. As someone else said, you should prepare the surface. If the paint is flaking or is "chalking", it will be a 2 step process.
1. Get one of those steel wand sprayers they use on TV to spray clean decks and driveways. Go over the metal surface with this. It will remove the loose debris without ramming it into the metal surface the way a pressue washer would. If you use a pressure washer at this point, the loose debris which is rammed into the surface, will loosen in years to come and your paint job will flake off.
2. Use a pressure washer and go over the surface again, to give it a final cleaning.
3. Prime the surface (see Sherwin Williams for proper Primer product) or use one coat of Direct To Metal.
4. Skip this step if you didn't prime and just painted you're done. If you did prime, then now paint on one coat of Direct To Metal.

These directions were given me by a Sherwin Williams Master Painter experienced in painting steel.

Since you will be painting a brand new shed, consult with Sherwin Williams what, if any, prep needs to be done before painting.
Best Regards,
Karen in western PA

 

[3riverschick]

Do let us know how the paint job goes! I have my eye on one of those 10x14' sheds for our backyard and was telling Hubby we could paint ours to match the surroundings. You will probbaly be done first, smile.
Karen

 

[blessedchick]

YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!! So much great information! I've printed out all of your suggestions and I'm going to hit the paint store with a barrage of (educated) questions! It isn't warm enough here in Ohio to start my painting project, so it might be a bit before I can post any pictures, but I will be sure to follow up as the project progresses. Thank you all so much (I love chicken people)!

 

[duckinnut]

Pretty much what I was going to add has been covered. Not only are there are chicken experts here but also people who have been there done that way of life. This place is cheaper than a shrink and closer than a Lowes seminar.