How to paint Everhard steel drain grates with spray?

ozyboy84

Hi all, I have these metal grates. Everhard charge an arm and a leg to replace them and i dont need the plastic enclosure.

Any assistance on painting them? And what products i could use in spray form? Primer required etc?

They are rusted i believe from a past acid wash

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @ozyboy84. It's wonderful to have you join us and many thanks for your question on refurbishing grates.

Those grates would originally have had a galvanised zinc coating to protect the steel from corrosion. If they've been exposed to an acid wash, it's quite possible that coating has been damaged, allowing the steel underneath to rust.

If you'd like to refurbish them, I'd start by sanding or wire-brushing the affected areas to remove any loose rust and get back to a sound surface. Once you've removed the bulk of the rust, apply a rust converter to stabilise any remaining corrosion.

From there, you could prime the grates with https://www.bunnings.com.au/dy-mark-400g-metalpro-zinc-gal-each_p1580554 and then topcoat them with https://www.bunnings.com.au/dy-mark-350g-silver-metalpro-gal-grey_p1580555 . This system is designed to restore the appearance and protection of galvanised steel.

If the grates are in a pedestrian-only area, you could also consider using a coloured metal spray paint. However, if the grates are subject to vehicle traffic, I'd be concerned that a decorative coating may not have the durability required and could wear through fairly quickly.

One thing to keep in mind is that by the time you've purchased the rust converter, primer and topcoat, and put in the preparation work, it may be worth comparing the cost against purchasing a new length of https://www.bunnings.com.au/everhard-3m-easydrain-pressed-galvanised-steel-grate-and-prejoined-channel_p4770210 and using the grates from it. I have contacted Everhard, and unfortunately, they do not do the grates separately. However, new grates would typically provide longer service than treated and restored ones with a spray coating.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell