Don made this welded steel bridge for Sully, and I’m looking for painting advice. Probably spray it with primer then rustoleum? What should I do to clean it first?
I don’t know if you’d be interested in spending a bit more money? Take it to someone for a price quote on powder coating it. I’ve heard it’s much more durable.
Otherwise, try to handle it only with gloves on! I believe the oil from your hands can cause problems. A wash of paint thinner, mineral spirits, or even alcohol should help that?
Tom,
Definitely look into having it powder-coated. Daniel Peck powder-coated my steel truss in black. NO rust or corrosion in almost four years outside.
Well, as to cleaning, first a wire brush, to knock off any surface rust, then hot soap and water, then rinse well, then I’d hit it with a weak acid, to etch it, to give the steel some tooth, for whatever finish you choose. Of course, you are using chemical protective gloves during this, to protect both you and the steel. Then a final rinse with water to remove the acid, followed by a blow dry using a heat gun, if you have one, hair dryer on high if you don’t have the heat gun. Finally, coat with the primer of your choice, consistent with the finish you choose. Powder coat sounds good.
Hello Tom
The first step in cleaning is a wipe down with alcohol to remove all the oils/fingerprints.
Then wipe it all over with rust remover (auto parts store) this will etch and coat
the bare steel with a phosphate coating. (rust remover is Phosphoric acid.) This will
dramatically improve the corrosion resistance of the steel,regardless of what paint finish you choose.
Powder coating is the best - it’s a baked on finish but is a bit pricey. Rustoleum would be a good option
primer then top with color coat.Use the acrylic lacquer or auto spray paint. Should last almost forever, especially if you wax it
like you do your car.
Bill
Ok you have been given great advice but I want to throw my 2 cents in. First off all the cleaning ideas are great. I simply use soap and water. Never had any issues needing more; but the rest wont hurt. Now powder coating is great; however is typically a thicker coating. It could soften fine details. As far as primer is concerned if your going to use a 1 part primer such as a rattle can primer do yourself a favor and use self etching primer:
I recommend this Rustoleum’s. This will etch the metal and give it bite. It does what Steve was talkig about with acid and preps the metal to give it adhesion. Then you can top coat. Then about 200 coats of clear and your good(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif). The more clear coats you use the deeper your color is and the more it resits aging a wear. Then once you have protected it from the rust ad weather make sure to add some weather and rust to make it look real…(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)
Tom, You’ve been given some great advice and there isn’t anything I’d have to add. What I’d like to comment on is that bridge. That’s a nice job. Not too complex yet very believable. Looks pretty stout too. We’ll get a picture of the finished product installed right?
Sully’s not quite over the sticker shock of powder coating the 7 ft bridge. I’ll see the results later this week, but I’ve seen powder coated things before and like the idea.
I’ll go with Steve F or Bill Z’s method.
(Steve, you didn’t mention protection for bare feet
)
Nice bridge Tom!
The little welded angle iron bridge on my railroad has been outside for 15 years. With zero prep, I used Rustoleum Professional brown primer and then Rustoleum Pro. flat or satin black paint afterward. Its amazing how long steel lasts when it doesnt come in contact with salt! Every so often (like every few years) I re-spray the bridge with black…I really don’t mind seeing a little rust coming through, and I dont see it rotting out any time soon.
Tom Ruby said:
(Steve, you didn’t mention protection for bare feet
Humm, That’s what I thought the powder coating suggestions were for.(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
Nice looking bridge Tom, I like the design.
I’d also recommend powder coating…if it is feasible and in budget. But it sure looks nice and protects the metal well.
Our twin six foot steel bridges were powder coated. It obviously cost more then paint, but I haven’t had to do anything to them in 10 plus years. I also handle the bridges a lot as they go over an access road and need to be removed from time to time. So we thought that powder coating would likely be the best option.
While I was asking how to prep this, Sully was out painting it with rustoleum. I’d go out and take a photo, but it’s raining.
I made mounts for it of 3/4 inch PVC board so I can just set it in place. When the rain lets up, I’ll go take some pictures.
With the current fashion of photographing yourself desecrating the flag, we gathered the neighbors together to show pride in our flag.
2 inches of rain later it’s pretty wet out there. Anybody have an ark?
Some promised photos:
Yes, it’s on a slope. I didn’t think the 1/2 inch in 4 ft would be that noticeable.
I built PVC sockets to mount it. I can just set it in place.
(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-sealed.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)
Wow, Tom, does look like you’ve had some gully washers there. The bridge looks great, yup the 1.04% grade is noticeable, Like the hangers, and patriotic neighbors!
Not as WOW when installed like that.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-frown.gif)
How does it look the other way?
There’s another bridge where the girders go above the train. It’s being powder coated.
Oh, and there’s a 3rd, little bridge. I’ll go out and photograph it before the tornadoes come.
Here’s the plastic bridge made of PVC. Was working on it last fall when Sully’s nailer fired and shot a nail into my arm. Left pinky still tingles when bumped a certain way.
Here’s where the 7ft steel bridge goes. It will be installed with the structure above the rail. I think I’ll build it PVC sockets like I did for the other one, but right now, we’re battening down for severe weather, hail, high wind, tornadoes and another 6 inches of rain tonight. Perhaps I should take bets on whether it will actually happen.
Yea, a grade is noticeable. My 5 foot bridge on a 2.58% grade really does look strange from some angles.
I have seen some under deck truss bridges, they look kinda strange because they aren’t that common. But isn’t that part of the fun of building your own, having something unique and different?