Greenhouse painting

[rs6mra]

SWMBO wants her aluminium greenhouse pimped and would like me to paint it black.
What I would like to know is what recommendations you guys have for a suitable primer. It is my intention to spray paint it which thus gives me an excuse to possibly acquire a new sprayer.
What sprayers would you recommend for a job like this that would also be suitable for spray painting furniture?
Alternatively, I have a Bostitch 24L compressor and would consider buying a decent gun for it. However I do not think it would be up to the job and any advice would do.
Thanks.

 

[johnnyb]

Don't do it.

 

[rs6mra]

@johnnyb I honestly do not want to do it but that is what she wants as her birthday present!!! I have tried to get out of it but to no avail thanks to social media where she got the idea from. What I also didnt mention is that the bottom half would be T&G 60mm high

 

[johnnyb]

Maybe acid etch followed by machine enamel.(hmg qad) but check with hmg first.

 

[Tris]

Worth talking to the people at Rawlins, I've found them to be extremely helpful and knowledgeable

https://www.rawlinspaints.com/?gad_...W-pFlUP6ZEfrBe2sfotil_21c63KMo64aAgjSEALw_wcB

 

[Bingy man]

What size is it, how deep are the birthday fund pockets . Greenhouses are now available in several colours so would a replacement be less painful ( apart from the cost ) I have just painted a soil pipe and waste pipes due to damage caused by rendering. Hand painted, 3 coats , and it looks pretty good. I used multi surface paint and it can be used inside and out . On most surfaces it doesn’t need a primer just scotch bright the aluminium and blow off any dust .

 

[Fergie 307]

Definitely need an etch primer if you want it to last anytime. Or don't use one, and when the paint falls off you can say "well darling I tried my best"

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

Acid etch primer after a light rub down to take the oxide off the surface of the alloy
Good luck

 

[okeydokey]

This is an existing used greenhouse?
I guess you are taking out all of the glass and rubber strips, door and mechanism plus opening windows and etc.
Then jet washing the frame to remove all green stuff.
Then when its dry self etching spray primer followed by a couple of coats of whatever external paint spray colour is desired. Black will absorb heat and might encourage peeling.

Then of course give all glass a proper clean so it looks like new.

Is this the right time of year to do this task?

Not a job for the faint hearted - how much spare time do you have? - it will take ages!

EDIT
Don't forget the inside and all the grooves in the frame.

 

[Doris]

Don't do it.

I second this. I had a greenhouse years ago. Every piece fits perfectly together, bolts in channels need to slide freely etc and if you decide to add a layer of primer plus 2 or 3 coats of paint on top, things won't fit back together.

Buy her a holiday. It may be more expensive but far less time consuming. You'll thank me later.

Someone said to me once (and I think it was a man) that women think they know what they want until they get it and then change their minds. This may sound sexist but as a woman I do agree with this statement somewhat.

Or get her to do it, she'll realise how much of a faff it is and just learn to live with it being silver

 

[Bingy man]

This is an existing used greenhouse?
I guess you are taking out all of the glass and rubber strips, door and mechanism plus opening windows and etc.
Then jet washing the frame to remove all green stuff.
Then when its dry self etching spray primer followed by a couple of coats of whatever external paint spray colour is desired. Black will absorb heat and might encourage peeling.

Then of course give all glass a proper clean so it looks like new.

Is this the right time of year to do this task?

Not a job for the faint hearted - how much spare time do you have? - it will take ages!

EDIT
Don't forget the inside and all the grooves in the frame.

Removing all the glass will leave you with a very unstable structure. When I built mine a few years back I was convinced it wouldn’t last out the winter as was very flimsy. However it was a completely different beast once the glass was installed and secured . It makes sense as you suggest to strip it down but it’s not that easy. I definitely agree that it’s not the best time given the amount of work to do this now …

 

[TomGW]

It's going to be one serious faff. Rather you than me.
Note to self:
If I ever buy a greenhouse get one in my wife's chosen colour.

 

[rs6mra]

Thanks guys........
I'm off the hook!!!!!
All i now have to do is erect it.

 

[Bingy man]

Thanks guys........
I'm off the hook!!!!!
All i now have to do is erect it.

so I take it you have gone for a new one ? Sounds like a good alternative..

 

[XTiffy]

rs6mra,
Though your problem is solved, there are small spray guns that will work with a small compressor (similar size to yours). I have used them on-site where I could not use my big compressor, so I know they work. I have sprayed built-in furniture (Council Chamber) and leather upholstered settees (12 of them!).
I have also used them for detail spraying on furniture in the workshop, where the big guns were not needed.
I hired an extractor system to take away fumes/overspray.