Painting Stainless Steel

[Lee T]

Planning a mod to the lower grill mesh on my mk 1 ZT, I'm aware I cannot simply paint it, as there is some prep that must be carried out first. Can anyone advise me on the best prep and paint products to use, and any tips/tricks to ensure success and longevity of final result.
Thanks. Lee.

[stevestrat]

Given that its the lower mesh and the abuse it'll get from rubbish on the road I'd have thought powder coating was a better option. I can't see painting resisting chipping no matter how well prepared it is.

[Lee T]

Originally Posted by stevestrat

Given that its the lower mesh and the abuse it'll get from rubbish on the road I'd have thought powder coating was a better option. I can't see painting resisting chipping no matter how well prepared it is.

I'm using a stencil so I'd imagine powder coating wouldn't be an option?
I was originally thinking enamel paint as it's pretty tough stuff, starting to look like a plan with many drawbacks .

[stevestrat]

Originally Posted by Lee T

starting to look like a plan with many drawbacks .

I have ideas like that as well! "I know, I'll...." then reality interferes with "How the hell am I going to do that?"

[Lee T]

Originally Posted by stevestrat

I have ideas like that as well! "I know, I'll...." then reality interferes with "How the hell am I going to do that?"

Yep! my back burner is filled with those ideas . Oh well back to the drawing board it is then. Cheers Steve.

[Robson Rover Repair]

Plastidip is your friend.



Give it a good clean with a tooth brush, let it dry well, even take a heat gun or hair dryer to the steel to get moisture off it.

Take a tin of plastidip, place it in a tin of water you boiled, it will spray extremely fine, and you can do your grill etc then. Give 15 mins between very light coats and keep the tin warm and you will have a flawless finish.

Satin, matt or gloss black options now. And if you give it a good 4/5 days to set before you try to wash it, it will outlast the car.

[MacRob]

Will need a good rub down to remove any dirt and then a wipe over with surgical alcohol to remove any finger marks or remaining grease. Once dried you need to use a clear adhesion promotor like E-Tech ER00110-ET Plastic Transparent Flexi-Primer Spray. Once dry you can either paint straight over it or for best results use a good brand coloured primer (depending on recommendation for the base coat colour you will use) and give it a very light 1st coat and leave for 10 mins. When dry apply a full coat of primer and let that dry. Repeat the primer process for the Base coat. Leave to dry for 2 hours and then use a good quality Alloy Wheel clear top coat.
It’s time consuming yes but it is well worth the results and if done correctly will withstand just about anything that come in contact with it.

[Lee T]

Originally Posted by Robson Rover Repair

Plastidip is your friend.



Give it a good clean with a tooth brush, let it dry well, even take a heat gun or hair dryer to the steel to get moisture off it.

Take a tin of plastidip, place it in a tin of water you boiled, it will spray extremely fine, and you can do your grill etc then. Give 15 mins between very light coats and keep the tin warm and you will have a flawless finish.

Satin, matt or gloss black options now. And if you give it a good 4/5 days to set before you try to wash it, it will outlast the car.

Thanks for the advice Colin, I'm using a stencil, not painting the entire grill mesh. No experience with dip painting, so not sure if you use it when using a stencil ? That's a very nice looking ZT btw.
THanks. Lee,

[Lee T]

Originally Posted by MacRob

Will need a good rub down to remove any dirt and then a wipe over with surgical alcohol to remove any finger marks or remaining grease. Once dried you need to use a clear adhesion promotor like E-Tech ER00110-ET Plastic Transparent Flexi-Primer Spray. Once dry you can either paint straight over it or for best results use a good brand coloured primer (depending on recommendation for the base coat colour you will use) and give it a very light 1st coat and leave for 10 mins. When dry apply a full coat of primer and let that dry. Repeat the primer process for the Base coat. Leave to dry for 2 hours and then use a good quality Alloy Wheel clear top coat.
It’s time consuming yes but it is well worth the results and if done correctly will withstand just about anything that come in contact with it.

Cheers Mac, that sounds like a solution to me. Just when you think the plan is dead!

[Teflon]

Originally Posted by Lee T

......... No experience with dip painting, so not sure if you use it when using a stencil ? .......

Plastidip is a type of paint (a sort of plastic type film) that is sprayed from a rattle can much like other paints. No dipping involved (despite the products name) . https://www.plastidip.co.uk/

Cliff