Did you buy a new house, or are you selling an old one? No matter what, your home needs some refurbishing and remodeling.
Old metal structures, including fences, steel structures, and pipes, need your primary concern. Only the best cold galvanizing paints can save you here. Whether it’s rust damage, inconsistent finish, or worn-out color, you can count on these cold galvanizing paints.

These cold galvanized paints are rich in zinc, inorganic, and organic binders that-
- Ensures better rust and cathodic protection
- Promotes electrical conductivity
- Offer low lifetime costs with a longer lifespan
- Offer easy maintenance and cleanup
So, hold on before you dive into your home remodeling project. Sit back for a few minutes and check on the best zinc-rich paints. Also, we’ve gathered answers to all your question about these cold galvanized paints. For the sake of your dream home, hop in!
Table of Contents
Take a Quick Look at the List of Cold Galvanizing Paints:
1. Best for Impact Resistance: ZRC 10001 Cold Galvanizing Compound
“ Maximum protection from rust with great coverage”
2. Best Cold Galvanizing Spray Paint: Rust-Oleum 12 Oz Protective Enamel
“ Super easy to apply with more durability”
3. Best for Different Surfaces: Rust-Oleum Compound
“ Longer protection for different metals”
4. Best Instant Cold Galvanize: CRC Zinc-It
“Best for metallic sheet touch-ups with fastest drying.
5. Best High-Performance Cold Galvanizing Spray Paint: Rust-Oleum Spray Paint
“Offers the best quality metal paint even in extreme temperatures.”
Best Cold Galvanizing Paint Reviews 2022
1. ZRC 10001 Cold Galvanizing Compound – Best for Impact Resistance
Key Features:
- Net weight: 1.5 lbs
- Coverage: 450 sq. ft/gal
- High protection against metal rust and corrosion
- 95% metallic zinc content
- More than 30 inches/lbs impact resistance
- Fulfills VOC standard requirements
Are you trying to protect the iron and steel structures of your home? You won’t probably find a better option than the ZRC 10001 Cold Galvanizing compound. Why so?
With 95% pure metallic zinc, you can quickly get rid of the metal surface inconsistencies in no time. Besides, the prime problem of rust and corrosion also vanishes like a dream! You can even protect your vehicles against rust with this paint.
We all know how powerful hot-dip galvanizing paints are. To your surprise, the ZRC cold galvanizing compound is equally useful. No wonder how it meets the highest quality VOC standards in more than 50 USA states.
A single pack covers about 450 sq. ft without any struggle. And if you are wondering when you can apply the recoat, it’s less than 12 hours!
It’s a paint that can last even in extreme temperatures! Is there any reason why we shouldn’t try it out?
- It doesn’t have an application temperature limit.
- Highly durable
- Offers different application styles
- Protection equivalent to hot-dip galvanizing paints
- Industrial standard cold galvanizing paint
- Brushing on gives a better finish than other styles.
- Price is a bit high
2. Rust-Oleum Cold Galvanizing Compound Gloss Protective Enamel – Best Cold Galvanizing Spray Paint
Key Features:
- Net weight: 1.3 lbs
- High corrosion and chip resistance
- Easy-to-apply spray paint
- 93% zinc content
- Per can offer more coverage
As our second top cold galvanizing paint, we picked none other than the Rust-Oleum cold galvanizing gloss protective enamel. What’s so special about the 12 oz spray paint?
With a 93% pure zinc content, you won’t have to worry about the ugly rust or harmful corrosion on your metal structures. You will be amazed at the adhesive quality of the paint. It stays on the painted surfaces for longer than you expect.
What I like the best about the compound is how easily applicable it is. You won’t have to deal with an unnecessary mess to get the work done.
The temperature resistance stands up to 200 degrees F with a drying time of only 20 minutes! Unbelievable but true! For offering more extended protection at repairing work, touch-ups, or for sealing new metal structures, Rust-Oleum seems like your go!
- Protection for a long time
- It makes the steel and metal structures shine for longer.
- User convenient
- It does not require a topcoat afterward.
- Works for versatile purposes
- You can only find them in 12 oz. Cans
3. Rust-Oleum Cold Galvanizing Compound – Best for Different Surfaces
Key Features:
- Net weight: 30.1 lbs
- Coverage: Upto 400 sq. ft/gal
- Only a single coat offers a thick layer of protection.
- Maximum 1 hour drying time
- Usable in multiple interior or exterior surfaces
When looking for the marathon champion with high performance, Rust-Oleum will genuinely stand out.
For a quick and easy solution to your bare steel and iron structures, the cold galvanizing compound works the best. No matter what kind of environment you put it in, it will indeed serve you the best.
With a single pack, you can cover from 350-440 sq. ft without being a miser. The best part is the whole coat will take less than 1 hour to dry up completely. And for applying the second coat, you’ll only have to wait about 12 hours.
To ensure resistance from rust and corrosion, the paint comes with 95% pure metallic zinc content. So, brush it, paint it, spray it, or roll it, it’s quite a deal!
- Offers quick adhesion when painting galvanized metal
- Drop the second coat in less than 12 hours!
- Works equally in both warm and cold conditions
- Highly durable
- Usable in multiple application styles
- You cannot spray it on.
- High price
4. CRC Zinc-It Instant Cold Galvanize – Best Instant Cold Galvanized Paint
Key Features:
- Net weight: 368 g/ 13 oz
- 95% metallic zinc content
- Fast-drying in 15 minutes
- Offers protection for dented or scratched base metal
- Maximum protection against rust and corrosion
It’s almost impossible to find the perfect one for metal surface touch-ups out of hundreds of galvanizing paints. Good news for you, CRC Zinc-it instant cold galvanize is probably the one for you.
It comes with a 93% zinc coating that fights off the rust and corrosion like no other. Whether your metal galvanized coats over your vehicle need a touch-up or your scratched base metal needs a renovation, CRC zinc can take care of it.
What I like the best is how it only takes 15 minutes to dry up! Yes, you read it right. If this worries you about the durability, let me tell, it does better than typical galvanized painting and keeps on shielding for long.
To leave behind the surface cracks and inconsistencies of ducts, pipes, or fences, CRC is worth the money!
- Supports excellent touch-up for metal fixtures
- Easily applicable to all types of surfaces
- Works well for both interior and exterior surfaces
- It offers brilliant welding when combined with a good primer.
- User-friendly
- For best results, clean the metal surfaces, wipe with alcohol, and immediately apply a zinc paint coat. You might notice bubbles and inconsistencies if you don’t use them properly.
5. Rust-Oleum High-Performance Cold Galvanizing Spray Paint
Key Features:
- Net weight: 567 g/ 20 oz
- Coverage: 300-400 sq. ft
- 93% pure zinc content
- Offers exceptional adhesion
- It comes with an extra-wide nozzle
- Hold out against temperature up to 200 degrees F
Rust-Oleum undoubtedly comes with the best creations for protecting your metal sheets and surfaces. Another one of their unique products is the Rust-Oleum high performance cold galvanizing spray paint.
No matter if you live in typical temperate zones or a too heated area, Rust-Oleum galvanizing paint can take the heat up to 200 Degrees F. Once you apply the coat, you’ll need to give it no more than 20 minutes for the dry-up.
Are you wondering what’s so unique about it? You can now stop worrying about finger fatigue as you apply it easily with the extra-wide nozzle. Interestingly, the nozzle allows spraying up, down, and even from different angles.
So whether it’s your worn-out galvanized ducts, storage tanks, or bare metal sheets, you know the wise pick.
- Applicable for touch-up or repairs
- Usable in different surfaces and environments
- Easy-to-spray from any angle
- Highly user convenient
- Offers fast-drying within 20 minutes
- Beware of faulty products!
- A bit pricey
What is cold galvanizing paint?
Sustaining metal and structures isn’t as simple as protecting those walls. Hence, we need cold galvanizing paints with a higher zinc content. Another name for the cold galvanizing compounds is zinc paint.
The paints are specially made to save your metal structures from corrosion, rust, inconsistencies, blemishes, and so on.
Things to Consider for the Best Cold Galvanizing Paint
Before you set your mind on which paint to get, don’t forget to prioritize a few things.
High performance
If you are worried about your budget and settle for something of low quality, trust me, it’s going to put you in trouble. You’ll have to refurbish and repaint, again and again, cutting more bucks. So, high-quality, high-performing paint to save your metal structures, and money, is a must.
Zinc content percentage
So, how do you determine the performance of your paint? The higher the zinc content, the better the quality and durability of the color. All the options mentioned above come with at least 90% of zinc content. So, whatever you choose, don’t settle for less.
Longer protection
High-end paints protect all kinds of metal surfaces from rust and corrosion. You cannot go for repaints, renovations time after time, can you? Hence, purchase the cold galvanizing compounds that last longer, even in extreme weather conditions.
Better finish
We are not only talking about internal consistency but also the smooth and attractive finish on the surfaces. You need to make sure you have a cold galvanizing compound that protects against wear and tear and smoothens the surface for the long-run.
Quick-drying
You don’t want to mess with the paint consistency on the metal surfaces; hence quick-drying is essential. It’s wise to pick a cold galvanizing paint that comes with a drying time of no more than an hour.
Convenience in usage
If your cold galvanizing paint is versatile and flexible to use, you don’t need to worry about the climate before you apply the paint. Again, a quick adhesive color with easy-to-apply instruction will ease your work to a great extent.
How to Apply Cold Galvanizing Paint?
If you don’t want to go to the professionals, save some money and apply the cold galvanizing paints all by yourself, here we are to help. You can follow the given steps to paint the surfaces easily.
Things you need –
1. A solvent cleaner
2. Light sander
3. Primer
4. Cold galvanizing paint
5. Roller or brush to apply the paint.
Procedure –
1. Grab the solvent cleaner and use it to get rid of the grease on the surfaces.
2. Take the sander and lightly sand the metal surface to make it rough and dull. It helps the paint to stick better
3. Take the primer and apply it
4. Finally, use your cold galvanizing paint, and wait. After 12 hours or so, you can recoat it.
5. For better protection from rust and corrosion, you can combine it with chromate solution.
Different types of cold galvanizing paints
There are different cold galvanizing paint types you can choose from. However, the most common types are –
1. Cold galvanizing liquid paint
2. Cold galvanizing spray paint
The galvanized spray paint is quite convenient to use, and of course, it doesn’t create a mess. Hence, most people go for the cold galvanizing spray paint.
The cold galvanizing liquid paint comes in a gallon. You can use a brush or roller to dip into the paint and apply it to the surfaces.
Both cold galvanizing paint types offer a smooth finish. Now, the rest depends on your preference.
Steps to paint galvanized sheet
As the galvanizing paint is rich in zinc, it doesn’t adhere to the steel very well. It leads to peeling of soon. Don’t be disappointed because we know the secrets to paint the galvanized sheet easily.
Within four steps and the correct equipment, the galvanized sheet painting will be a piece of cake to you! Follow me-
1. Do a good cleanup
You don’t want a layer of inconsistent paint. Hence, it would be best to get rid of all the dust, dirt, oil, or any other material that affects the paint quality.
2. White vinegar to the rescue!
The secret to galvanized steel painting is nothing but white vinegar. Why don’t we use industrial cleaning solvents? Well, white vinegar is non-toxic and offers excellent results, so it’s much safer than the solvents. Take a clean cloth, dip it in the vinegar and apply it to the galvanized sheet surface.
3. Prime the surface
For obtaining a professional quality, priming the surface beforehand is a wise decision.
4. Settle on the preferred paint type
Now, it’s time for the eenie-meenie-miney-mo to choose your preferred galvanized paint. Just kidding. It is more comfortable and practical to use colors specially made for galvanized sheets rather than acrylic latex paint. And what colors should you never use on your galvanized sheet? Of course, the oil-based and alkyd-based paints won’t even adhere to the sheets properly.
5. Paint!
Everything is ready, and the final step is fun painting. And voila! You’re done.
FAQs:
Q: How effective are the cold galvanizing paints?
A: Cold galvanizing paints with high zinc content ensure your galvanized surfaces get a protective shield for years. After a nice galvanized paint coat, your precious metal structures can be free from corrosion for years.
Q: How do the cold galvanizing paints work?
A: They are rich in organic and inorganic binders that offer maximum protection and durability. Although they do not give the same results as the hot galvanizing paints, they are still reliable and industrially used.
Q: Why do I need to apply the cold galvanizing compounds?
A: If you want to resist rust or corrosion build up on your metal structures or galvanized sheets, then cold galvanizing paints are the best option.
Final Verdict
There is no better alternative for protecting the metal structures than to go for the cold galvanizing compounds.
As we carefully pick out the best cold galvanizing paints for you, choosing any of them will lead to satisfactory results. No matter what you choose, make sure you do justice to your precious project. Good luck!
Sources:
1. Dr. Tom Langill, What does the cold galvanizing process consist of? Galvanize it, June 19, 2010