How to Paint Metal Silhouettes

Metal silhouettes often come painted a flat, black color.

Metal silhouettes are available in a wide variety of styles to reflect your interests. They come in Western looking scenes, your favorite sport team logo, and religious, animal and floral designs. Painting the metal silhouette is not an arduous task if you use the correct materials. This is an effective way to restore a faded, chipped or rusted surface on the metal.

Things You'll Need

• Newspapers or a drop cloth
• Mild liquid dish washing detergent
• Bucket
• Sponge
• Old towel
• Steel wool or wire brush
• Paintbrush
• Metal primer
• Outdoor enamel paint
• Spray sealer formulated for outdoor metal objects

Instructions

1. Spread out newspapers or a drop cloth to protect your work surface.

2. Wash the metal silhouette to remove dirt and grime. Use a soapy solution in a bucket and a sponge to scrub the silhouette clean. Mild dish washing liquid and warm water cleans the metal surface well. Rinse the silhouette and dry it off with an old towel.

3. Inspect your metal silhouette for any rusted or chipped areas. Use steel wool or a wire brush to remove any paint chips or rust.

4. Paint the metal silhouette with a metal primer. Cover all the metal surfaces and allow it to dry according to the directions on the primer.

5. Cover the metal silhouette with an outdoor enamel paint of your choice. Allow it to dry according to the directions on the enamel paint. It may require two coats to get the coverage you desire. If so, allow the paint to dry in between coats.

6. Spray a protective clear sealer over the metal silhouette once it is dry. Purchase a sealer that states it is for outdoor metal objects. Allow the sealer to dry well before displaying the silhouette outside.

Tips & Warnings

• Black works well with outdoor silhouettes and complements almost any home exterior. If you decide on a different color, make sure it coordinates with your home exterior or other structures in the area.

• Touch up any scratches or chips right away with the primer and outdoor enamel paint. This prevents having to re-paint the entire silhouette later due to rust.

References

• Michigan State University Extension; Painting Metal Outdoor Furniture - Refurbishing; Anne Field; June 24, 2003