Metal Paint

Hammerite is available in the SELF d.i.y. store in Piederipa. Think in the 2nd aisle on the left as you go in!!!

Which shelf ? S

SELF is a chain of DIY stores! Hammerite is buyable here in Italy, though not everywhere by any means. Galv steel is a difficult surface to get paint to adhere to - I suppose what you'd be looking to read on the tin would be fondo per zincato. That'd buy you a 'primer' which should stick to the accaio zincato, over which you could use any smalto.

For a decent job on galvanised metal you need to use 'special metals' primer first, not sure what that is in �� mind.

You will also have to remove the old, flaky paint....

For all your replies, haven't been to Self for some time Badger so will have a look and thanks for the translation Fillide, that will be most helpfu. Yes, Gala I fear that the stripping of the old stuff might be hard work! Jo

Just because I was browsing the specialist paint shelves (as you do) I noticed a tin labelled 'zincato'. Now this paint was intended for bare metal, and claimed to make untreated steel 'fake galvanised': this is not what you need. Possibly your galv steel doors are a bit exposed to the sun, which means they will expand and contract quite a bit, and there are few paints which will cope with this - Hammerite is probably the best because it has a bit of flexibility. If you can't find anything which works then maybe embracing the 'shabby chic' aesthetic would be your best route!

Sorry Sprostoni. I think it is the last gondola on the left hand side at 2mtrs high. To remember the shelf, I may need the colour that was never stated , as that gondola had a good selection.

if you need to thin down the hammerite , petrol works fine but at a big saving (even now) on the hammerite thinners... just the mean Scotsman in me again.

Just use cellulose thinners.

From memory hammerite thinners was (is ? )mainly para xylene ie 1,4 dimethyl benzene , unleaded petrol contains quite lot of benzene hence my recommedation-it worked for me as they say. Lots cheaper too.

I agree with Fillide, exposure to the sun is your major challenge here. I would also advise to use a light colour. A dark one will deteriorate very quickly.