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Can You Use KILZ on Metal? (Quick Answers)

Metals are one of the most important elements we use in our day-to-day lives. Whether it’s for doors, pipelines, automobiles, electric devices, or electric wires, metals are used in almost every sector all around the world. 

Metal, although being a good conductor of heat and electricity, requires significant refurbishment before it can be fully utilized. Now, let us explore whether or not KILZ can be used on metal, as well as learn some fascinating facts regarding KILZ.

Can you use kilz on metal?

Kilz can undoubtedly be used on metals. However, before you apply KILZ to any metallic surface, there are a few things to keep in mind. Using sandpaper, remove any pre-existing paint or grime from the metallic surface. This ensures that the KILZ sticks to the metal firmly. 

Through a National Paint Show in 1974, the KILZ brand received its honorable recognition. The Kilz primer was the company’s hallmark product at that time.

It quickly became well-known on a national scale. As a result, they began to improve their product line by including unique features in their newly manufactured products. 

Kilz is now a globally recognized brand, including supplies such as primer, paints, and services for wood & concrete.

Kilz can be also used on metals in addition to hardwood surfaces and concrete. Let’s talk about certain metallic items and see whether or not we can use KILZ on them.  

Metal door: 

You can undoubtedly use KILZ on metal doors. Kilz 2 primer is the ideal choice for you to use on your metal doors.

Make sure to clean the surface of the metallic door properly before you apply the KILZ primer. After priming, you can also use KILZ paints in order to paint your metallic door.

Galvanized metal: 

KILZ products can also be used for galvanized metals. But there are certain things that you should keep in mind while selecting the ideal KILZ product for your galvanized metal.

Make sure that the primer you are applying to your galvanized metal surface has the ability to prevent rust. Kilz products are made in such a way that they can protect your precious metals from the formation of rust on their surface. 

Therefore, you can most definitely use KILZ on galvanized metals.

Aluminum: 

You can also use KILZ on aluminum. In the case of aluminum, KILZ adhesion primer is the best choice for both interior and exterior use on metals. Just ensure your aluminum surface is clean enough and free from any kind of dirt or dust before you apply KILZ to it.

Does kilz 3 work on metal? 

Yes, KILZ 3 works quite well for metals. Kilz 3 is one of the best primers available, and it may be used on metal without difficulty. It’s mostly a water-based primer with the added benefits of minimal odor, quick drying, and so forth.

It also protects against mildew and stains caused by water, ink, pen strokes, grease, and markers. It’s fantastic for metals.

Kilz 3 primer is the best choice if you wish to paint any metallic surface. Because of its thick coating formula, it would cover all of the blemishes on the metal, creating a smooth surface for painting. As a result, you may use KILZ 3 on metals, as it performs well.

Is kilz good for rust? 

Kilz products are quite good for preventing rust. The KILZ products are made with a rust-resistance formula, which means they do not allow any formation of rust on any surface, no matter where you use them.

To prevent your metals from rusting, KILZ 2 primer could be your ideal choice. Because this is a multi-surface primer sealer with some exceptional characteristics that keep your metals safe from rust formation.

Thus, KILZ can be used on any sort of glossy surface, including metal, in order to prevent the formation of rust on it. However, if you notice that the metal surface has got rust on it before applying the KILZ primer, make sure to thoroughly clean it before applying the primer.

3 reasons why you use kilz on metal 

You can use Kilz on metal for the following reasons – 

Protects the metal:

Kilz primers protect the metal from any unwanted stains from ink, markers, grease, and so on. It works as a protective shield for metals and keeps them durable and long-lasting for a long period of time.

Protects the metal from rust:

Metals are quite prone to rusting and corrosion. Kilz primers have the ability to prevent rust from metallic surfaces. This is considered one of the best rust-inhibitive primers for metals.

Makes the color easier to adhere to the surface:

There are many surfaces where the paint does not stick easily. Metals are one of those surfaces where paint does not usually adhere.

These tough surfaces, like metals, often tend to cause issues when you directly apply paint to them. However, KILZ primers make the work easier for you.

Kilz primers make the surface smooth, making it perfectly eligible for painting. It hides the stains, dark spots, and other unwanted marks on your metal with its thick coating formula.

As a result, the surface area of your metal becomes smooth and refined. Therefore, it becomes super easy for you to apply any paint on it. Thus, KILZ primers make the color easier to adhere to the metal surfaces.

How many coats of Kilz should I apply on metal? 

You have to apply at least one coat of KILZ on your bare metal. However, if you are someone who would prefer a darker hue on the metal, you can apply a second coat of KILZ on the metal.

After applying the second coat of KILZ, you will notice a slight tint on the metal. If you wish to make this tint even darker, apply a third coat of KILZ. Make sure to give enough time for each coat to dry completely before applying the second coat.

Clean the metal surface to keep it free from any dirt or dust before applying the coats of KILZ on the metal.

How to use kilz on metal? 

The following steps will help you to use Kilz on your metal surfaces –

Clean the surface of the metal:

For applying KILZ on both pre-painted metal and bare metal, it is very important to clean them properly at first. Use a rag to wipe off the dust and dirt from the surface of the metal.

 You can also use sandpaper to make the surface smooth. Besides, you can use mineral spirits as well in order to clean the surface of the metal.

Separate the peeled-off paint from the metal:

After you are done cleaning the surface of the metal, it is time to separate the peeled-off paint from the metal surface. If your metal surface was pre-painted, it is highly likely that even after cleaning it, there is going to be some remaining paint debris stuck on the metal surface.

As a result, separate the remaining paints with a brush, by the method of scraping, or by using sandpaper.

Clean the rust on the metal:

Cleaning the rust on the metal surface is one of the vital steps if you intend to use Kilz. If you don’t remove the rust, the paint would not have held a strong grip on the metal.

As a result, it is going to damage the entire metal, causing rust all over. That’s why, by using a brush or sandpaper, you should remove the rust on the metal surface.

Usually, an extra rust-inhibitive primer is used on the metal surface so that it can be kept protected from rust. But, as KILZ itself has the ability to inhibit rust, you won’t be needing any extra primers here.

Look for any holes and repair them:

There can be several holes on the surface of the metal. As a result, before applying KILZ, make sure to check the holes and dents in the metal.

The holes and dents might vary significantly in terms of size. As a result, make sure to repair each hole using epoxy filters and fiberglass mesh, sanding the surface and so on as per the requirement.

Apply the primer to the metal:

Lastly, after performing all the steps that have been mentioned above, it’s time to apply the KILZ primer to the metal.

It is mandatory to apply at least one coat of KILZ primer on the metal. If you think the first coat is not thick enough to hide all the imperfections on the metal, you can apply a second coat of KILZ primer on the metal surface as per your desired preference of color.

Wait for the KILZ primer to dry properly each time you apply a new coat to the metal surface.

Final Thoughts 

Kilz, without a doubt, can be used on metals. However, there are a few things to bear in mind before applying KILZ to metallic surfaces. It is important to use sandpaper to remove any existing paint or debris from the metallic surface. It ensures that the KILZ adheres securely to the metal.