I recently stripped an old lunchbox down to bare metal using electrolysis and a brass brush. Right now, it's coated with a thin layer of WD-40 to prevent rust before I paint it. I'm wondering if I need to do any additional treatment, like priming, before applying spray enamel? Also, I have rusty chrome latches and handle holders that I've removed. Any advice on how to handle those? Thanks!
3 Answers
You really want to clean that WD-40 off thoroughly. Personally, I wouldn't rely solely on isopropyl alcohol (ISO); acetone would be a better choice since alcohol can leave a residue. Also, make sure to roughen up the surface a bit for better paint adherence.
WD-40 is one of the worst things you could use before painting! You might need to fully strip it again or at least wipe it down with acetone. And don't skip the primer; it really helps the paint stick better once you have the surface prepped.
Thanks for the heads up! I’ll clean it with acetone and then prime before I paint.
For bare steel, self-etching primer works wonders—definitely recommended before your top coat. Make sure you scrub off the WD-40 with soap and water, then follow up with acetone and ISO. It’s also a good idea to dry it in the oven (around 225°F should do just fine). Paint it as soon as it cools down a bit to ensure good adhesion.
Great tip! Using a Scotch-Brite pad for prepping the surface sounds smart.