Paint for metal

On metal, what matters is what is already on it: grease, flaking paint and rust. Clean it back, treat any rust with a rust inhibitor, and give smooth or polished metal a light key or a primer. Jubilee, Super GILD and GILD Originals are formulated to grip as wide a range of surfaces as a water-based paint can, and Jubilee and Super GILD also stand up outdoors. Chrome, as an oil-based paint, adheres better, and is mainly for interior pieces. Bleo will not work on metal.

On this page

A metal garden bench painted pale green on a brick path between lavender

Shop paint for metal

43 paints and finishes that work on metal.

All products 43

Which paint for your metal?

On metal, choose by the finish you want.

How to paint metal

Clean metal, and the right paint for where it will live.

  1. Clean and treat rust

    Remove grease, dirt and corrosion. Treat any rust with a rust inhibitor before painting.

  2. Key smooth metal

    On smooth or polished metal, light sanding or a primer improves adhesion.

  3. Thin, even coats

    Apply thin coats and let each one dry. Two thin coats give a better finish than one heavy one.

  4. Protect what gets handled

    Add a clear top coat to handles and other high-contact surfaces. Never top coat Chrome.

Comparing the paints for metal

Set out by job. GILD Originals and Super GILD are the one true step up.

On this surfaceJubilee GoodGILD Originals BetterSuper GILD Chrome
FinishSolid, opaque colourSoft metallic sheenBright, highly reflectiveMirror-like silver
BaseWater-basedWater-basedWater-basedOil-based
Outdoors Mainly interiors
CoverageTwo thin coatsTwo thin coatsNear full in one coatVery thin layers
Touch dryAbout 30 minutesAbout 1 hourAbout 30 minutes4–6 hours
Top coatNot neededOptionalOptionalNever
An outdoor door frame gilded with Super GILD, beaded with rain

Outdoor metal

Gates, railings, garden chairs, planters and door furniture.

Which paint

Super GILD and Jubilee are both suitable outdoors. For a silver finish outside, choose Super GILD Platinum rather than Chrome, which is designed mainly for interior pieces. GILD Originals is for interiors only.

Rust first

Treat any rust with a rust inhibitor, then clean and dry the metal before you paint.

Protecting it

On exposed metal and anything handled often, finish Super GILD with a clear top coat.

Painting metal garden chairs in Verdigris

Made with metal

Projects from the Making blog.

Super GILD vs GILD: choosing the right metallic paint

Super GILD vs GILD: choosing the right metallic paint

Gold leaf or metallic paint? How GILD Originals and Super GILD compare, and how to choose the right metallic finish for your project.

Read more
Spring vintage bicycle revival: Bunting Yellow in motion

Spring vintage bicycle revival: Bunting Yellow in motion

A well-loved vintage bicycle, repainted in Jubilee Bunting Yellow. Part of our Spring Painting Series, and a story of how colour can make an everyday object joyful.

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A Regency revival: painting metal garden chairs in Verdigris

A Regency revival: painting metal garden chairs in Verdigris

Weathered Regency-style metal garden chairs, given new life with two coats of Jubilee Verdigris and a Guild Lane flat brush.

Read more

Questions about painting metal

Can I paint metal outdoors?

Yes, with Super GILD or Jubilee, which are both suitable for exterior use. GILD Originals is for interiors only, and Chrome is designed mainly for interior pieces.

Do I need a primer on metal?

Clean it thoroughly and remove any corrosion first. A primer is not always needed, but on smooth or polished metal it improves adhesion.

How do I paint rusty metal?

Treat the rust with a rust inhibitor, then clean and dry the surface before painting.

Which paint gives a chrome effect?

Chrome. Its foil pigments align as the paint dries to create a mirror-like finish, brushed by hand on smooth, non-porous surfaces.

Can I use Bleo on metal?

No. Bleo needs a porous surface to soak into, such as fabric, raw wood, cork or terracotta. For colour on metal, use Jubilee.

Can I paint a radiator?

We don’t recommend it. Guild Lane paints are not heat rated, so they are not designed for radiators or other surfaces that get hot.

Should I top coat painted metal?

On handles and surfaces touched often, a clear top coat adds durability over Super GILD or GILD Originals. Never top coat Chrome.

Painting something else?