Go Paint Something!

Question:

Michael,

I have enjoyed reading your articles in the Faux Finisher and postings on Murals+.  I am writing because I have been approached to re-paint a mural on a corrugated steel building that has been previously painted.  The original job is failing after only 7 years, and I believe its due to the coating that the steel has on it. 

I was wondering if you have ever painted on something like this before and if anything will stick.  I have contacted the manufacturer of the coating to see what they say, but just thought a fellow muralist that has more experience on these larger scale murals may have any ideas.

One more artist question: How would you go about laying out a 15′ diameter circle on a 30′ corrugated building?

Thanks so much for your time, and keep the advice and humor coming.

Dee
Deelite Design

Answer:

Dee,

Thanks so much for writing. I’m not familiar with Fluropon, but I have painted on corrugated steel before. In fact, it was one of my first large projects. I simply used an oil-based exterior paint from Porter Paints. It’s still there, after almost 20 years!

When you say “failing”, I am assuming that you mean that it is peeling off, not just fading. If you really want to make sure that the paint adheres, I would probably  prime it first with a top quality exterior primer, then paint it with a top-quality exterior acrylic. Again, I’m very familiar with Porter, and would use their Acri-Pro 100 primer, with their Acri-Shield paint. Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, etc., all have good products as well.

As a matter of fact, just to make sure I’m not giving you any incorrect info, I contacted Jim Sherwood, of Valspar, manufacturer of Fluropon, and he agreed with me, believe it or not! He suggested to do a test area first. Use a good acrylic-based primer, and if the primer holds, you should be good to go. He even suggested scuffing it up a little with a Scotchbrite pad if you feel it is necessary. Sounds like a lot of work to me. I’d charge double.

Of course, if the paint falls off, we’ve never talked.

Regarding your last question above…Go to your local Home Depot and get a 10’ piece of 1×2. Drill the appropriate holes and use it as a big ol’ compass. Use a china marker on the writing end.

Good luck!
Mike

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