Top coat for Hammerite Direct to Rust Metal Paint

[lordtyrion]

Long story short I have a double gate and large fences spray painted in Hammerite Direct to Rust Metal Paint – Hammered Black (a.k.a. Forge Black). It actually came out really well, however there are some issues;

The surface is fairly rough so difficult to clean - lots of seagulls here haha.
Not sure how it will do with rain long term and we're near the sea so salt corrosion is real.
It does scratch quite easily

So I've been thinking about getting the guys back to do some touchups and then spray over some type of top coat/varnish.

Has anyone here used a clear protective coat over Hammerite that actually bonds properly? Ideally something that’ll make the rough hammered surface easier to clean and a bit more scratch resistant, but without killing the texture or going milky in UV.
As mentioned we're in a coastal location (salt air, seagulls, sun). Would you recommend a 2K automotive clear, a marine polyurethane, or is there something purpose made for this? Any real world experience appreciated. Unfortunately Hammerite themselves don't do an exterior varnish so that was a dead end.

Appreciate any advice....

 

[ajlelectronics]

Appreciate any advice....

The problem you have is Hammerite. I am unaware of anything which will cover it. I think that even an epoxy would struggle.

 

[lordtyrion]

The problem you have is Hammerite. I am unaware of anything which will cover it. I think that even an epoxy would struggle.

Figured it would be tough.

 

[steveo3002]

1st thing it was a poor choice , hammerite isnt good for nothing

2nd thing you will struggle to overcoat it with anything else , so best just have a tin and brush in the worst areas

 

[addjunkie]

1st thing it was a poor choice , hammerite isnt good for nothing

2nd thing you will struggle to overcoat it with anything else , so best just have a tin and brush in the worst areas

Can you not over coat hammerite with smooth…enough coats and the hammer will reduce to smooth eventually, wether you will be alive long enough to achieve it is a different question

 

[lordtyrion]

1st thing it was a poor choice , hammerite isnt good for nothing

2nd thing you will struggle to overcoat it with anything else , so best just have a tin and brush in the worst areas

The whole thing was a ****show tbh. The gates and fences were originally finished in a beautiful (and bloody expensive) powder coat. A couple of years later I got a company in to heighten the gates and through miscommunication and language barrier I came back to find that the gates and fences had been sanded and prepped for painting After I calmed down and got some new guys in - I was recommended to go with hammerite as it adheres to everything and is hard wearing. I should have looked for a better solution but was fed up and just went with it..

 

[lordtyrion]

Can you not over coat hammerite with smooth…enough coats and the hammer will reduce to smooth eventually, wether you will be alive long enough to achieve it is a different question

Don't think it ever gets smooth. They sprayed on multiple coats.

 

[ajlelectronics]

hammerite isnt good for nothing

Yes it is. It's totally useless (in my opinion).

 

[lordtyrion]

OK then follow up question. If I wanted to get the gates back to a powder coat type finish (smooth, hard wearing, UV resistant, corrosion resistant etc.) - without a powder coat - which is impossible now of course.
What would I be looking at - materials and technique wise?

 

[ajlelectronics]

Ideally blasting, or a lot of hard work manually. However, your powder coating business should have suitable blasting facilities.

 

[steveo3002]

get em galvanised if its rough weather where you live

 

[cocker]

I used some paint from "Manor" to overpaint our gates and railings . No prep , just lashed on with a brush . Must have been 10 year ago , haven't been requested by Mrs C to give it another coat so it must be ok !

 

[lordtyrion]

Ideally blasting, or a lot of hard work manually. However, your powder coating business should have suitable blasting facilities.

Panels can't be removed for blasting/powder coating. Custom made to my design so are curved and riveted to supports etc.

 

[lordtyrion]

get em galvanised if its rough weather where you live

it was powder coat over galvanised steel then stupid hammerite over the powdercoat

 

[zzr1200]

Johnsons do a metal paint, it's tough, dries to a bright, smooth finish and lasts well, but it's about........£130.00 for 5 ltrs, I bought my last pot about 3 years ago.....

I prefer it to hammerrite, it takes about 4/5 hours to touch dry in cold weather 2/3 in warm, but to fully harden i've know it to take 5+ days in cold damp weather.

Possibly get a tester pot and try it???

Looks like you can get it discounted now.......

Johnstone's Trade Smooth Metal Paint Ready Mixed Colours

Johnstone's Trade Smooth Metal Paint is a primer and top coat in one. A solvent-based gloss finish, it can be applied directly to bare, previously painted or rusted surfaces. It offers up to 5 years of protection, longer than a regular maintenance cycle with other similar products on the...

www.thepaintshed.com

Bottom center is the one I use.....

Metal Paints

www.johnstonesdc.com

Arr.... Portugal might be an issue.......

 

[ajlelectronics]

Panels can't be removed for blasting/powder coating. Custom made to my design so are curved and riveted to supports etc.

Mobile blasting service then, followed by epoxy primer and colour coats of your choice.

 

[brightspark]

I used some paint from "Manor" to overpaint our gates and railings . No prep , just lashed on with a brush . Must have been 10 year ago , haven't been requested by Mrs C to give it another coat so it must be ok !

its called manor coatings high build vinyl . can be sprayed or hand painted all the quality metal gate and fencing guys round our way use it it can be painted on fresh galve without any prep as well

 

[cocker]

its called manor coatings high build vinyl . can be sprayed or hand painted all the quality metal gate and fencing guys round our way use it it can be painted on fresh galve without any prep as well

That's the stuff , wasn't cheap but I don't like painting so whatever lasts the longest gets my vote !