How to Paint Steel Horse Stalls

Steel horse stalls may come to your farm in prefabricated panels ready to be hung as partitions in your barn. You also may choose to use corral panels to block off stalls in a large, open barn. Whether new or existing, you want to get the longest life out of the steel in your horse stalls and painting it is the easiest method to achieve this. If your stalls are metal bars on top and wood underneath, take steps to protect the wood from over-spray-unless you are planning to paint the entire piece.

Things You'll Need

  • Fans
  • Face mask
  • Denatured alcohol
  • Heavy-duty cleaner
  • Rags
  • Steel wool
  • Sandpaper, coarse grain
  • Spray primer
  • Spray paint
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the steel to be painted from the barn enclosure, if possible. If this isn't possible, set up fans in your work space and ventilate the area to protect yourself from breathing fumes. A paper or cloth face mask that covers the nose and mouth, such as is sold by your paint supplier, is also helpful.

    • 2

      Clean the steel. Use denatured alcohol for removing dirt. Use a heavy-duty chemical cleaner for removing grease and heavy soiling, or if a lot of sanding is necessary because of rusting. Sand away rust with steel wool. Make certain the steel is clean and dry before continuing.

    • 3

      Sand the entire surface with coarse-grained sandpaper. Rough up the surface without causing deep scratches or gashes that will show after the paint has dried.

    • 4

      Spray primer on the surface to be painted. Spray priming and paint provide the best results. Choose a primer that will be compatible with the paint to be used. Sticking within a brand for primer and paint is usually a good rule of thumb. For longer life, choose an oil-based primer with a rust inhibitor.

    • 5

      Spray paint the surface. Remember that darker colors will fade more quickly and require repainting sooner than lighter colors.

    • 6

      Follow the instructions on your selected paint for drying times and number of recommended coats for your application.