Red oxide drying times.

[Dave D]

Hello. I have a steel to go on an outside wall. It's been stored outside and covered. I intend to sand and give it a coat of red oxide as it needs doing in places despite being covered. As this has to be done outside I'm thinking I might have left it too late in the year. Anyone have an idea about this?

 

[ericmark]

We try each year to paint where required out door seating on the heritage railway where I volunteer, both wood and iron work, hammerite seems to work, so does red oxide, it is the wood we have the problems with, seems not good reason why, but some years it will last for another 5 years, other years it peels off within the year, they are painted in doors, but no heating, often many layers, primer, undercoat and top coats, we are moving to plastic as a result, metal no problem, it is the wood that causes problems.

 

[Dave D]

Thanks Eric.
I've done some googling about drying times. I think I better get it back inside to paint. (Won't be easy) 5 degrees seems to be the coldest it can take. It's not predicted to get that cold here yet. But it's the morning dew and possible rain that's the threat.

 

[JohnD]

Prop it outside in the sun. Let it get as much sun as possible, then paint it while it is still warm.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Paint it in the morning, it should dry no problem.

I doubt that a bit of dew would penetrate it, even if it's still damp, if it's solvent-based paint. It would just fall off.