Introduction
Do you know how your home’s metal doors and handles start to rust over time? Not only does this look ugly but it also damages the underlying surfaces, reducing their lifespan drastically. Painting with enamel paint over exterior walls and surfaces like metal, wood, or even plastic helps protect them from external factors. This naturally increases their lifespan.
How exactly does a few coats of enamel paint protect structures as big and bulky as entire metal doors? Let’s understand that a lot more in this blog.
Understanding Enamel Paint
What is Enamel Paint?
Enamel paint is a solvent-based paint, which is a technical term for paint that uses a liquid called a solvent to keep the paint in liquid form until it is time for application. When you paint, the solvent automatically evaporates, after which the paint dries to form a hard, shiny coating.
Types of Enamel Paint
- Oil-Based Enamel Paint: In this type of enamel paint, the solvent/liquid is oil. This is a gloss enamel paint type, a premium example includes Luxol Hi-Gloss.
- Water-Based Enamel Paint: Painting with enamel paint with a water base is simpler as the application is easier and has a quick drying time.
- Acrylic Enamel Paint: A blend of acrylic and enamel, acrylic enamel paint provides a hard, glossy finish and is more environmentally friendly.
Enamel Paint for Metal
In India, the humidity levels are high in almost all regions other than the arid western parts. In such cases, enamel paint for metal is much needed. That’s because water can cause great destruction to your home’s metal gates and doors through rust and corrosion. And we’ve all read this in the basics of science: rust is irreversible. This means that once rust develops on a surface and starts to destroy it, there is absolutely no way of saving the parts already damaged, leaving you with one choice only – complete reconstruction.
Why waste double the money and time when you can stop all this with special paint? Apply enamel paint for metal right at the start of the process, and do not let rust rear its ugly head.
Enamel Paint for Wood
Not all doors are metal doors, most interior doors are made of wood. But they come with their own sets of problems including termites. Like rust, stop the problem before it even begins with enamel paint for wood.
Painting with enamel paint is a great way to prevent scratches and large, ugly bulges on wooden doors.
How To Apply Enamel Paint on Metals?
Step 1: Prepare the Surface
You are likelier to see local painters skip this step because, to them, it’s a great way to save time and provide short-term results that seem okay. But with time, you see that even if you paint with premium enamel paint colours, the paint starts to crack and peel off. To someone who might have paid huge sums of money to get the painting done, this is frustrating and confusing. You want to blame the weather, paint quality, etc. But the real reason could be as simple as improper surface preparation.
Surface preparation when painting with enamel paint starts by cleaning. Remove all dirt, pollution, loose paint particles, and so on.
Next, check for signs of small cracks and fill them in.
Lastly, apply primer. The primer should match the type of enamel paint. That means using wood or metal-specific primer for enamel paint for wood or enamel paint for metal respectively.
Step 2: Choose the Right Enamel Paint
From surface type to desired gloss finish, there are different types of enamel paint colours available, including mirror-like gloss finishes from Luxol PU Enamel. Depending on whether it is wood or metal that you’re painting, or if you want a high or subtle sheen, you need to understand your needs carefully before you pick a type and start painting with enamel paint.
Step 3: Apply the Enamel Paint
Now, it’s time to apply the enamel paint. For the best results, apply the paint in thin layers. Don’t try to cover the entire surface in a single coat. Not only does this decrease the cooling time but multiple thin layers create a smoother texture and give a premium enamel finish.
You need to make sure that each coat dries off completely before you apply the next one. Enamel paint takes a longer drying time so you need to make sure that the appropriate amount of time is given and the process is in no way rushed.
Step 4: Finishing Touches and Maintenance
Do a final check to make sure you haven’t any spots.
Do regular cleaning to stop any dust from accumulating.
Maintenance and Care for Enamel-Painted Surfaces
Regular Cleaning
To keep enamel paint colours looking fresh as new, do regular cleaning. This prevents dust build-up. You need not use more than your dishwashing liquid, even a few drops on a damp napkin are enough to clean surface-level dirt.
Preventing Damage
Do not place sharp or heavy objects directly on painted surfaces as this would cause scratches on the enamel paint. On wooden surfaces like tables, don’t place coffee mugs or food bowls, for example, without using coasters to avoid staining your beautiful enamel paint.
Addressing Minor Repairs
Smaller repairs when it comes to enamel paint are usually pretty easy to take care of at home. With a combination of skills and the right tools, you can keep your walls blemish-free for years.
Reapplication of Paint
When you use enamel paint colours from trusted brands like Berger Paints, regular reapplication is not necessary. With the premium enamel quality, you have paint that remains fresh for years to come.
Conclusion
From the meaning of enamel paint to its types and uses, we have covered the basics to not only help you understand but also implement painting with enamel paint. This attractive paint type is gaining popularity due to its signature gloss and classy finish. Try it for yourself – call Berger Paints today!
Explore these top enamel paints to ensure a professional and long-lasting finish:
For achieving the best results in your enamel painting projects, consider using high-quality products like Luxol PU Enamel for a durable and glossy finish, Luxol Hi Gloss for a brilliant high-gloss appearance, and Butterfly GP Enamel for versatile and reliable general-purpose use.
