What paint (small qanitities) to apply to new galvanised water trough?

[slope]

Just bought a new 8' "Bateman" galvanised water trough to soak willow for basket making.

I'd like to paint various, mainly primary coloured 'artworks' on its sides

It's going to live outside all year round, supported off the ground and contain water

Suggestions for very small quantities of paints that might stick to new galvanisation?

[Brucey]

normal solution would be an etch primer of some kind followed by topcoat.

cheers

[Jurek]

As far as I'm aware, there isn't a paint which'll adhere to galv.
Brucey's suggestion of an etch primer might be a starting point but, tbh, I wouldn't be holding my breath.

A few years ago I was involved in the refurbishment of the visitors centre for BNFL at Sellafield.
We inherited a staircase with galvanised treads.
Following extensive research, we were unable to find a paint on /  spray on product which would improve its appearance and stay adhered.

[Brucey]

some advice here

https://www.galvanizing.org.uk/painting-galvanized-steel/

Etch primers appear to work best on weathered galvanising. Brand new stuff seems to be best treated with something else first.

cheers

[Jurek]

some advice here

https://www.galvanizing.org.uk/painting-galvanized-steel/

Etch primers appear to work best on weathered galvanising. Brand new stuff seems to be best treated with something else first.

cheers

That's handy to know, Brucey.
Ta.

[aidan.f]

Why not box it with water resistant sheets such as the cement boards for tiling showers. Then paint (or mosaic tile) away.

[Bolt]

I scrubbed a new galvanised drain cover with Oxalic acid in an attempt to weather the surface such that I could apply contact adhesive and sharp sand to provide a non slip coating.  It's worked really, well especially considering the cover in right in front of the front door and gets walked over many times a day.

[Efrogwr]

I 'll ask a friend who works with all sorts of metal if she knows of anything suitable.

[Canardly]

Hammerite do a direct to galvanised metal paint. ( gloss tho' but.)

[slope]

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful information, suggestions and advice.

Whilst out on my cycle ride today during the mind goes a wanderin' phase, I decided to mount the trough low stone pillars and 'clad' it with tightly woven, made to measure willow 'hurdles' for the time being - so out with a Rasta/Peruvian inspired vibrant primary colour 'work' - and in with earthy greeny browness and texture

And see how that goes?

[Efrogwr]

If you still want a primary colour, remember that red dogwood is astonishingly red...

[Gattopardo]

Cold galvanising spray?

[slope]

If you still want a primary colour, remember that red dogwood is astonishingly red...