How to paint metal: a guide to painting stainless steel and metal coffee tables

In painting metal, preparation matters more than the paint. Paint applied to an oily, smooth or rusty surface soon blisters or peels.

1. Cleaning

Clean off any grease, dirt and old paint on the surface. Soapy water or alcohol can be used for degreasing.

2. Rust and old paint

Remove rusty spots with a wire brush or sandpaper. If you leave rust behind, it will come back through the paint.

3. Roughen the surface

Paint does not adhere to very smooth, shiny metal. Lightly matting the surface with fine sandpaper improves adhesion.

4. Primer and paint

Use a primer suitable for metal, then metal paint or spray paint. Work in thin coats and let each coat dry in between.

On stainless steel

Stainless steel holds paint poorly because it is very smooth and chemically stable. If you want a durable color, powder coating applied during production, or a different surface treatment, gives a more lasting result than painting by hand. It is best to settle this before production.

Ask us

If you want a metal coffee table or shelf in a specific color, we can discuss the color and dimensions as custom production.

Next article: How to clean and polish brass: when does patina become a problem?