What Is the Best Way to Spray Paint Black Metal Into White?

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Things You'll Need

  • Plastic sheets

  • Sandpaper

  • Rags

  • Mild soap

  • Sponge

  • Primer

  • Spray paint

Prepping the surface is essential to spray painting.

Since black is such a bold color, it can seem out of place in a room that has a soft color theme in it. Black metal on an object such as a lamp, photo frame or a chair may clash with a soft palette of colors. Fortunately, you do not need to replace an object that has black metal; instead, just pick up a can of spray paint and some other items and give the black metal a makeover so the item is more visually appealing to you.

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Step 1

Sand the surface of the object with 120 grit sandpaper to remove rust. Dust off sanding debris with a clean rag.

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Step 2

Wash the object with a mild soap and a sponge. Painting on a dirty surface will result in poor paint adhesion as well as an uneven surface. Let the object dry.

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Step 3

Shake a can of high quality primer designed for dark metals for 10 seconds to mix the contents. Spray a thin layer using an even motion, standing at a distance of at least 10 to 12 inches. Use a sweeping motion, spraying in one direction to apply the primer. Maintain constant pressure on the nozzle as you spray the primer. Overlap each pass of primer by about 1/3 so the finish does not have any obvious lines showing where the primer ends and begins. Let the primer dry as recommended by the manufacturer.

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Step 4

Shake a can of high quality white spray paint designed for metal to mix the contents. Use the techniques used in Step 3 to apply the spray paint. Let the spray paint dry as recommended by the manufacturer.

Step 5

Review your work. If the black color is still visible, apply another coat. Let the spray paint dry as recommended by the manufacturer in between coats.

Tip

Work in a well-ventilated area. Work outdoors or drape a plastic painter’s sheet to protect anything that you do not want painted. Open windows and run fans. Don old clothes. Discuss your project with staff at a home improvement store. Ask which primer is best to cover black metal. It is best to paint in thin coats because a thick application will lead to drips, runs and inconsistent blotches.

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