paint for sealing mild steelwork?

[tenchy]

I'm welding up (my first project) some chunky (compared to car panels) mild steel angle and flat etc which will be used (but not stored) outside. Typically commercially made things would be galvanised but I just wanted to paint it to get going and it is only outside for short periods.

What's the best paint to use on the bare steel, both as it comes from supplier and over stick welds?

I know of red oxide and a mate mentioned galvafroid.
Colour is not an issue for me. I didn't want to go too exotic cost wise as this project is costing me a lot more than can be bought in (though not quite the same features as mine) but I am OK as I will have the kit I bought for it, and when I use it I have the satisfaction that I made it. Will be brush applied.

(I did look down a few pages of posts but none seemed as basic as this question )

 

[steveo3002]

tin of jotun epoxy

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Aldi metal paint, I'read that 2 coats last ages [at least I hope so, I've bought some for my project gate]

 

[cumbriasteve]

^^^^ as above but after a few years of using Aldi metalcare paint it I find slightly thinning it with some white spirits (roughly 10%) and applying three coats is much better than two heavy coats both in ease of application and finish.

 

[tenchy]

hmm. wonder what the odds of my Aldi having any is!

 

[MoreWellie]

we have used zinga which I think is similar to galvafroid. Zinga is expensive but great for things that are left outside as long as they aren't likely to be scratched or rubbed as it comes off more easily than a good paint

if the coating is left intact then the protection is excellent. I took a length of rusty channel, wire brushed it, gave it a couple of brushed coats of zinga before bolting it in place and it has been outside continuously for the last 6 years or so and is still pretty much perfect

it isn't cheap but if it does get scratched then coats can be freshened

on the plus side brushes last ages if cling film wrapped after use, whilst they appear solid they usually free up once dipped into the solution again

 

[cumbriasteve]

hmm. wonder what the odds of my Aldi having any is!

It used to be a 'special buy' item and was only available a few times each year but of late I have noticed it is nearly always in stock, at least in ours it is.

Make sure it's the metalcare you get and not the normal gloss, the tins a very similar.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I bought one tin of their green and one of their black for my gate [in the making] because I couldn't decide what colour it was going to be, but at £4.99 per litre it won't go wrong either way.

 

[marlinspike]

The Aldi paint is good. I prefer the aerosol version to the tinned. It dries to a hard dull sheen. If you can't find it in Aldi (I usually can't so I stock up when it's in), Lidl do their own version.

 

[tenchy]

boogers, I forgot to swing by Aldi after work!