<p>i've been decorating some metal mailboxes which have been outdoors for 1.5 years and are still looking good.</p>

<h2>the process</h2>

<ul>
<li>i started by removing old paint/lacquer that was about to fall off. i did this by mounting a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/metal-brush-drill/s?k=metal+brush+drill" rel="nofollow noreferrer">wire wheel brush</a> on my drill and brushing the mailbox.</li>
<li>next, i cleaned the mailbox with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_spirit" rel="nofollow noreferrer">white spirit</a> followed by cleaning it in water and drying it.</li>
<li>i applied several layers of <a href="https://www.molotow.com/en/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">molotow</a> spray paint.</li>
<li>i used molotow actrylic pens for drawing illustrations on top.</li>
<li>finally, i applied three layers of <a href="https://duckduckgo.com/?q=clear+spray+paint&amp;t=ffab&amp;iax=images&amp;ia=images" rel="nofollow noreferrer">clear spray paint</a> for outdoor use.</li>
</ul>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/1L9MO.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/1L9MO.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/yxYPI.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/yxYPI.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-31T10:17:50.850Z
2019-03-31T10:17:50.850Z
nzwlm
<p>You said that you will be painting the ground galvanized metal.  If you use outdoor <strong>weatherproof</strong> paint, then you will be weatherproofing your material for the length of time indicated in the tin.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-31T04:14:53.470Z
As there are so many formulations around, perhaps a paint especially designed for use on metal outdoors would be worth considering? Especially if you are near the sea. 

Look for something designed for metal fence or a steel corrugated roof. Some paints also have anti rust-chemicals added. I'd talk to the people at the paint desk.

Remember that these often come in a spray can for small jobs.
Stefan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-30T12:05:38.763Z
2019-03-30T12:05:38.763Z
Chris Rogers
<p>If you are grinding galvanized metal, for "final finishing" I quickly found 5-10 methods on YouTube and Instructables that give some relatively easy solutions.  "How to galvanize metal" was my search string. </p>

<p>I've been investigating electroplating steel. aka de-rustification. </p>

<p>Galvanizing is an interesting anti-rust technique. Most galvanizing is hot dipped, in a vat of molten zinc. </p>

<p>But using a zinc anode, zinc oxide electrolyte, and a steel item = electroplating (OUTSIDE - allow H2 gas to escape &amp; not explode) is quite easy. No super nasty chemicals needed either.  Happy re-surfing (researching) and investigating</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-01T17:42:21.770Z
2019-04-01T17:42:21.770Z
Joel Huebner
<p>Depending on the type of paint, it should form an able enough barrier. Fun fact, to prevent the rusting of large, steel, salty sea-faring boats, they connect large blocks of zinc to teh hull on the inside. The zinc "protects" the outer steel layer by basically transferring the corrosion to it (there's a lot more chemistry involved but that's basically what happens).</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-03T03:52:54.317Z
2019-04-03T03:52:54.317Z
john doe
<p>I have some large galvanized metal disks that I going to grind into an outdoor decoration.</p>

<p>Grinding will destroy the zinc covering.  It'll be painted afterwards.</p>

<p>How can I weatherproof the metal?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-19T17:41:36.270Z
Be careful when grinding zinc. To protect workers, OSHA has set an average legal limit of 1 mg for zinc chloride fumes and 5 mg for zinc oxide (dusts and fumes) in workplace air during an 8 hour workday, 40 hour work week.https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=300&tid=54
David D
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-19T19:42:37.483Z
Thanks @DavidD.  I'll only be doing a little bit and outdoors but I'll wear a respirator anyway.
BanksySan
<metal><metalworking><varnish>
Weatherproofing metal
BanksySan
# Weatherproofing metal

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-03-30)

I have some large galvanized metal disks that I going to grind into an outdoor decoration.

Grinding will destroy the zinc covering. It'll be painted afterwards.

How can I weatherproof the metal?

**Tags:** metal, metalworking, varnish

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Be careful when grinding zinc. To protect workers, OSHA has set an average legal limit of 1 mg for zinc chloride fumes and 5 mg for zinc oxide (dusts and fumes) in workplace air during an 8 hour workday, 40 hour work week.https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=300&tid=54  
> **username_0**: Thanks @username_1.  I'll only be doing a little bit and outdoors but I'll wear a respirator anyway.  

---

## 4 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-03-31. Score: 2

i've been decorating some metal mailboxes which have been outdoors for 1.5 years and are still looking good.

## the process

* i started by removing old paint/lacquer that was about to fall off. i did this by mounting a [wire wheel brush](https://www.amazon.com/metal-brush-drill/s?k=metal+brush+drill) on my drill and brushing the mailbox.
* next, i cleaned the mailbox with [white spirit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_spirit) followed by cleaning it in water and drying it.
* i applied several layers of [molotow](https://www.molotow.com/en/) spray paint.
* i used molotow actrylic pens for drawing illustrations on top.
* finally, i applied three layers of [clear spray paint](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=clear+spray+paint&t=ffab&iax=images&ia=images) for outdoor use.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/1L9MO.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/1L9MO.png)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/yxYPI.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/yxYPI.png)


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2019-03-30. Score: 1

You said that you will be painting the ground galvanized metal. If you use outdoor **weatherproof** paint, then you will be weatherproofing your material for the length of time indicated in the tin.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: As there are so many formulations around, perhaps a paint especially designed for use on metal outdoors would be worth considering? Especially if you are near the sea.   Look for something designed for metal fence or a steel corrugated roof. Some paints also have anti rust-chemicals added. I'd talk to the people at the paint desk.  Remember that these often come in a spray can for small jobs.  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2019-04-01. Score: 0

If you are grinding galvanized metal, for "final finishing" I quickly found 5-10 methods on YouTube and Instructables that give some relatively easy solutions. "How to galvanize metal" was my search string.

I've been investigating electroplating steel. aka de-rustification.

Galvanizing is an interesting anti-rust technique. Most galvanizing is hot dipped, in a vat of molten zinc.

But using a zinc anode, zinc oxide electrolyte, and a steel item = electroplating (OUTSIDE - allow H2 gas to escape & not explode) is quite easy. No super nasty chemicals needed either. Happy re-surfing (researching) and investigating


---

### Answer by username_6 on 2019-04-03. Score: 0

Depending on the type of paint, it should form an able enough barrier. Fun fact, to prevent the rusting of large, steel, salty sea-faring boats, they connect large blocks of zinc to teh hull on the inside. The zinc "protects" the outer steel layer by basically transferring the corrosion to it (there's a lot more chemistry involved but that's basically what happens).


---

