I am repainting a set of large metal channel letters that are finished in porcelain. Someone else tried to repaint them years ago (color change) and the finish began to come loose. We have scraped down the loose paint back to the original finish and now need to know what to use as a primer to get our final paint color to stick.
These are exterior letters.
Any suggestions?
Posted by Robert Larkham (Member # 2913) on :
Ray I have seen this happen before. I sign friend of mine had to repaint a Mobil Gas station sign. He never got anything to stick to the porcelain. Ended up making a whole new sign. Maybe some automotive guys could help on this one.
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
Are they made from aluminum? There was a post a couple weeks back about priming and painting aluminum. Just a thought.
Posted by Bill Preston (Member # 1314) on :
Hi Raymond,
IMHO I think trying to repaint a porcelain finish is just a headache waiting to happen. Have only had experience once with this, and it was wildly unsuccesful. This finish is so hard and smooth, it is almost impossible to scuff it enough to get anything to stick to it. I don't think paint remover will touch it, either.
Might you be further ahead to remove what is left of the attempted repaint, and then color the letters with whatever color vinyl is needed?
This is the only way I can come up with to get you around the problem. Maybe someone else has some other ideas. Good luck.
Posted by Ken Henry (Member # 598) on :
Porcelain is a high-fired ceramic finish that's very hard to scratch. The only thing I can think of that might dull the finish would be hydroflouric acid. This is the acid normally used to etch glass. Because of the highly corrosive properties, it's dangerous stuff to work with. Also, should any of it get onto the unporcelainized metal surfaces, it would seriously corrode those unprotected areas.You may also require a special permit to buy this acid, as it's normally sold ONLY to folks who've had special training to properly handle & dispose of it.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Hey Raymond, What about lightly sandblasting it? You can blast the glaze off ceramic tiles easily. Why not porcelain?
Posted by FranCisco Vargas (Member # 145) on :
Ray, I repainted some Tile signs a few years ago and they are still holding up. I used X-I-M 100 clear primer, then lettered it with 1-Shot. Try a piece of it for the porcelain. I am almost certain it will work.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
do you know anyone that refinishes bathtubs?....their paint sticks...
Posted by John Smith (Member # 1308) on :
Ray, O.P. has the right approach on this one. I just came from Home Depot in Jacksonville, FL and I saw the bathtub refinishing kit there. It has a deglossing chemical, primer and paint. I bet you could use some of it for your project. Worth checking into, anyway. PLUS, a good excuse to go shopping!! Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Well, I did go shopping. On one of the home shows on HGTV I saw them use a primer over bathroom tile that would then accept paint. So, on my daily stroll through Lowe's I found a "Glossy Surface Primer" that is both interior and exterior - made by Valspar. All of the requirements it lists I have already done to the letters and so this should work. At least I will give it a try.
The 28 letters are 24" tall with a 2" return, so there is a lot a space to cover. After the primer, the letters will be painted a deep green and then reinstalled on a stucco wall that we are also reconstructing. It is for a country club so they need to look nice - money is not that big of an object, but time is - they have to be completed and back up by the first of May, along with about $10,000 worth of other work. The midnight oil will come in handy this week.
I'll keep you informed.
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
hi Ray, This is a little late being you did the job already, but I had to letter a porcelain paneled gas station exterior wall years ago. The owner said he had several sign men paint it, but the paint always peeled. I scrubbed it down with the cake Bon Ami and lettered it with One Shot. A few years later the lettering was still fine.
Posted by Arvil Shep' Shepherd (Member # 2030) on :
Check with the automotive paint supply stores..they make an adhesion promoter that will stick to chrome.(As in a bumper)..then you can paint it....the stuff you are looking at from Lowes will probably also work..I have in the past used the XIM Clear on Porcelin Letters with fair success.........Good Luck..
Shep'
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Ray, I've mixed two part epoxy and lettered tiles on swimming pools that are under water with chlorine and holding well. Why don't you call Noel. He's done numerous enameled jobs and is well aquainted with the properties. He should know how to etch the surface for long term bonding that would probably work in Texas.
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