How to Distress Metal Building Panels
Metal sidings for buildings are becoming increasingly popular due to the low cost and durability of these products. Steel is the most common material used in the manufacture of metal building panels and usually comes from the factory pre-painted. Though steel building panels are available in a wide range of colors and even a few different textures, they lack the warmth that comes from older materials. Fortunately, giving a metal panel a distressed, aged look is relatively easy to do and inexpensive. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Paint stripper
- Putty knife
- Heavy steel chain
- Grinding wheel or coarse sandpaper
- Chemical patina compound
- Acetone
- Rubber gloves
- Shop rags
- Pumice stone
- Satin polyurethane
- Paint sprayer
Instructions
-
-
1
Apply paint stripper to the steel according to the manufacturer's instructions. Remove the paint using a putty knife.
-
2
Beat the steel using the chain to give it a dented, weathered look. Further distress the steel by using the grinding disc or sandpaper to add scratches to the surface. Using the pumice stone adds even deeper scratches to the steel. When finished, the steel panel should look much older and weathered.
-
-
3
Clean the steel panel using acetone applied with a clean shop rag. The acetone will remove dirt and grime as well as oils and sealants that coat the steel from the manufacturing process.
-
4
Apply the patina according to the manufacturer's instructions.
-
5
Seal the steel with a satin polyurethane using a paint sprayer to ensure an even coat. The polyurethane creates an air-tight barrier that will protect the steel from rusting.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you can find unfinished steel panels it requires a lot less work to prep the steel.
Try to make the dents, scrapes and scratches uniform and cover the entire surface so the steel looks like it has been weathered by the elements.
Acetone, paint stripper and patina compounds are all toxic chemicals. In addition to rubber gloves, proper ventilation is necessary to prevent injury.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Kuppeldach Berliner Kirche image by Matthias Nordmeyer from Fotolia.com
