How To Paint Shipping Container Walls For Alternative Uses
Many people are finding creative ways to reuse cargo shipping containers. Architects have designed entire buildings using shipping containers, and farmers have transformed them into chicken coops or goat stables. If you are considering purchasing a cargo shipping container to transform into something more useful than shipping things, you will likely be putting some work into making it look great. Learn how to repaint the walls of the shipping container.
To refinish the walls of the shipping container you will need:
- Water
- Dish soap
- Bucket
- Utility and sanding sponges
- Tack cloth
- Paint roller with extension pole, paint brush and paint tray
- Rust-inhibiting oil-based primer and paint
Step 1: Wash the Walls
Begin by mixing 1 cup of dish soap with 5 gallons of water. This will create a very bubbly mixture to use on the surfaces. You want enough soap in the water to cut through the grease that is stuck to the surface, so do not skimp.
Tip: If the surfaces are extremely dirty, use a floor scrub brush to remove the grime more easily.
Once the surfaces are clean, use a high-pressure hose to rinse all of the surfaces clean. Take your time to ensure that the soap and debris is rinsed away. The cleaner the surface, the better the paint will adhere to it.
Step 2: Prepare the Surface
Use the sanding sponge to rough up the surface so that the primer will adhere to it. Work in small areas using a tack cloth after sanding to remove the dust and debris left behind.
Step 3: Priming and Painting
Use a paint roller and paint brush to apply an even coat of rust-inhibiting primer to the surfaces. Take your time to ensure full coverage as you prime the walls so that you do not have paint peeling soon after you complete the project.
Apply at least two coats of rust-inhibiting oil-based paint to the surfaces. Be sure to allow the paint to fully dry between each coat. Examine your work looking for any stains that are bleeding through or areas that do not look quite right. If you notice drips, wait for the paint to dry completely, sand the area and apply another coat of primer and paint.
Tip: If you do not complete the entire painting process in one day, you can save yourself some clean-up efforts by storing the paint brushes and rollers in sealed bags or containers in the refrigerator. When the time comes to complete the job, you simply open the bag or container, grab the equipment and get started again.
Shipping containers can be great structures for many uses. Let your imagination go wild as you plan what to use your shipping container for. For more information, contact a business such as Arizona Storage Rental Inc.