Spring is the perfect time for Florida homeowners and business owners to tackle their DIY projects before the intense summer heat arrives. Whether you're refreshing a metal lawn set, refinishing commercial fixtures, or repainting outsdoor metal surfaces like fencing, awnings, or exposed pipes, painting metal surfaces is easier than you think—once you use the right materials and techniques.

At Supershade South in Fort Lauderdale, we recommend Benjamin Moore’s Corotech® line for professional-grade metal primers and paints. Below, we’ll guide you through the best steps to ensure a durable, flawless finish.

Interested in learning more? Contact us for your consultation.

Step 1: Identify the Type of Metal Surface

Before painting, determine whether your metal is ferrous (contains iron) or non-ferrous:

• Ferrous metals (steel, cast iron, wrought iron) are magnetic and prone to rust.
• Non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper, stainless steel, zinc) resist rust but may need other forms of special prep.
• Galvanized metal (ferrous steel covered with a zinc coating) should be treated as non-ferrous.
• Pro Tip: If a magnet sticks, it’s ferrous and needs rust-inhibiting primers.

Step 2: Prep the Metal Surface (Wear a mask and goggles!).

Proper prep ensures paint adhesion and longevity:

1. Remove surface grime or contaminants like oil or dirt with a degreaser or isopropyl alcohol. Rinse and remove any residue that remains.
2. Strip loose paint & rust using a wire brush, sandpaper, or chemical rust remover.
3. Sand lightly. Avoid over-sanding on galvanized metal, which can remove the protective zinc layer.

Step 3: Prime for Protection & Adhesion

Don’t skip priming with Benjamin Moore’s Corotech® Primers for metal surfaces. It will help the paint to adhere better and prevent you from applying multiple coats of paint. Ferrous and non-ferrous metals each have different needs for priming.

Ferrous Metals: Use Corotech® Alkyd Primer

Non-Ferrous Metals: Corotech® Universal Metal Primer

Step 4: Apply the Paint

For the best finish, pair your primer with a compatible paint. Depending on your preference, you can use a sprayer, brush, or roller. Be sure to tape off areas that do not need paint and have a paint-thinning solvent to clean up accidental spills.

• Ferrous Metals: Corotech® Alkyd Enamels 
• Non-Ferrous Metals: Corotech® Waterborne Enamels

Step 5: Cure & Protect

Direct sunlight and extreme temperatures can affect the paint curing process—so we recommend sealing the surface to extend the lifetime of the paint and keep your surface looking freshly painted. Once the metal is completely dry from paint, it's time to protect it.

• Let paint fully cure (check label for time).
• Apply a protective topcoat (like a clear sealer) for added durability.

FAQs

Contact Us for Metal Primer Near Fort Lauderdale, FL

With the right prep, primer, and paint, your metal surfaces will stay vibrant and colorful for years to come. Visit our team at Supershade South in Fort Lauderdale for expert advice and premium Benjamin Moore products.

Supershade South is a certified Hunter Douglas Gallery and Benjamin Moore paint dealer that has served the Fort Lauderdale area and its surrounding neighbors for over two decades.

We proudly carry Hunter Douglas window treatments and Benjamin Moore paints, and our talented team is eager to assist you in designing the home of your dreams.

When you are ready to learn more about painting metal, contact us for your online consultation, and one of our friendly staff members will reach out.

For more tips and ideas about other types of paint jobs, peruse our blog page, where you can enjoy articles on various design topics. We are honored to serve Greater Fort Lauderdale, including Boca Raton, Hollywood, Plantation, Pompano, Lighthouse Point, Lauderdale by the Sea, and Victoria Park, Florida.