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| STEP 1 |
| Remove dirt, grease, oil and chemicals |
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Dirt, grease, oil or chemicals may interfere with the adhesion of paint. Clean your surface with soap and water, household cleaner or trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution.
Do not use solvents to clean surfaces. Solvents tend to smear grease and oil and leave residue on your surface. Strong solvents can also soften a previous finish and make your new paint application susceptible to wrinkling. |
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| STEP 2 |
| Remove loose rust, as well as chipping or peeling paint |
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Create a smooth surface before applying your primer and/or base coat. Painting over loose rust will result in poor adhesion and an uneven finish.
Remove loose rust or paint by sanding or scraping your surface with a wire brush, sandpaper, steel wool or a scraper. Sand glossy surfaces lightly. Do not sand old paint that may contain lead. |
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| STEP 3 |
| Rinse and let dry |
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| Rinse your surface and allow it to dry completely before applying a primer or top coat. |
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| STEP 4 |
| Apply a primer |
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Priming is recommended to increase the adhesion of your top coat to your surface. Priming also provides a thicker film buildup, which increases durability and creates a flatter and smoother surface for applying your top coat.
Priming is suggested on these surfaces: |
| | | Bare Metal | | Priming makes your top coat adhere more smoothly to bare metal. Priming also adds to the rust-inhibitive function of your coating. | | | Bare Wood | | Bare wood is a porous substrate that holds air and moisture. Priming is suggested to ensure a smooth, uniform top coat. Priming will also prevent bleeding from your wood. Sand off weathered wood and replace rotten or water-damaged wood before painting. | | | Concrete | | Water-damaged concrete has a sandy or gritty surface that comes off easily when rubbed. Remove this loose material by sanding or etching. Prevent water or moisture from penetrating underneath your paint or peeling will occur. | | | Darkly Painted Surfaces | | If you are changing from a dark coat to a light coat, prime in order to cover your old color completely. Priming also helps prevent bleeding of your old color through your new top coat. |
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| STEP 5 |
| Apply a top coat |
| | | Aerosol Application | | Apply aerosol paints outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Spray on smooth, even coats for a smooth, factory-like finish. Keep your can parallel to the surface of your object and move your can back and forth. | | | Brush Application | | Apply brush paints with a high-quality brush or roller. For best control, hold your brush at the base of your handle (the end closest to the bristles). |
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| STEP 6 |
| Recoat if necessary |
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| Follow recoating directions on your can. Apply a second coat of paint if necessary. Each product dries at a different rate. If you sand in-between coats, allow the full recoat time to dry before applying another coat (at recommended drying temperature). |
