Painting a driveway gate

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I've just finished my first project (mild steel driveway gate) and am getting ready to paint. I was thinking of the following procedure ( I need to brush it on since I will do this in my basement)::       grind off any rust       wipe down with acetone       2 coats of primer       1 coat black enamelDoes this sound right and can anyone recommend the best brands to inhibit rust and have a paint job that lasts?
Reply:wire it clean, hit it with some rusty metal primer.  I use Tuff-quick urethane floor paint with a dash of japan dry on my railings, super shiny & durable.  Takes a good 24 hours to dry, so put it on thin if you plan on 2 coats.  I use a brush & it shows no brushmarks at all.Last edited by WeldingMachine; 11-26-2010 at 09:44 AM.Reason: forgot somethingBuy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:I'm a big fan of rustoleum rusty metal primer (the red stuff), but because of its higher oil content, their "clean" metal primer (the yellow stuff) actually sticks better to shiny metal (but the rusty primer is better if there's still some mill scale left).  Oh, and with either, its best to apply in a VERY thin coat (one you can see through).  If you want a primer you can sand to blend surfaces a bit, use automotive primer (usually grey).If you're using a gloss paint, don't make the coat too thin, because there won't be enough paint to level out brush marks.  Of course, if you apply too much, you'll get drips and sags.  I'd suggest trying out your paint on a few test samples first to get an idea of how thick is best.  The instructions may be good, BUT instructions for a floor paint (like the mentioned urethane above) may not take into account applying paint to vertical surfaces.Last edited by rlitman; 11-26-2010 at 10:41 AM.
Reply:another vote on the rustoleum rusty metal primer..i find brushing paint out of qa can  to be most economical, sometimes put on a final coat of spray to get a more even coat..
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbeadanother vote on the rustoleum rusty metal primer..i find brushing paint out of qa can  to be most economical, sometimes put on a final coat of spray to get a more even coat..
Reply:On outdoor gates, fence and rail, I use galvanized tube.  If doing the painting myself, I spray cold galvanized primer on the welds, regular rustoleum primer on the rest of it, then paint with rustoleum.  If sending it out, I have it powder coated with high zinc powder paint.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:i tend to brush but i always use a new brush, not expensive just new as i can never get a used one one clean enough so it leaves brush marks.Just some stuff in my shop.
Reply:Originally Posted by tbaxli tend to brush but i always use a new brush, not expensive just new as i can never get a used one one clean enough so it leaves brush marks.
Reply:I go over the gates with Ospho rust arrester, then wire brush, then prime and paint.
Reply:I would probably go for one coat of primer and two topcoats.  As always when painting, the prep is the most important part.Note the recoat times.  Rustoleum is an enamel paint, so you need to recoat within the hour, or wait 48 hours.  (Per the instructions on the can).   It is not good to recoat it the day after you put on one coat.  The body man in our family says that all enamels have this property.In a lot of ways it is good.   You can put on a coat every half hour until you are satisfied.I think that this rule also applies if you hand brush it on, although I typically spray out of doors.  The thin coat advice might be particularly important if you brush it on.  RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:Chemprime or ospho.Thin some paint much thinner than usually needed and drip or pore into really tight scrolls or acute angle joints, then wipe excess.2 coats Benjamin Moore Ironclad, it is self primingPeterEquipment:2  old paws2  eyes (that don't look so good)1  bad back