Metal Repainting Instructions.pdf

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

METAL REPAINTING INSTRUCTIONS

Some historic monuments have cast iron or wrought iron elements such as cannons, cannon balls, plaques, gates, and fences. These elements are often painted to enhance their appearance and protect them from corrosion (rust). Below are instructions for repainting areas where existing paint is peeling or has lost adhesion to the metal element.

If repainting needs to be redone regularly or if the metal element requires extensive repainting or stripping, photograph those areas of the monument and consult with the History Program, National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, sara.leach@va.gov, or 202- 632-5894, jennifer.perunko@va.gov or 202-632-5441.

Before repainting, carefully inspect the monument. Consult the Monument Summary sheet in the Maintenance Manual to confirm that the monument contains painted cast iron or wrought iron.

Do not paint the metal aspects of the monument if:

• The metal is not cast or wrought iron. Use a magnet to verify this.

• The metal elements cannot be accessed safely with the lift equipment you have on site.

• The metal elements are loose or unstable.

If there are questions about the above issues, photograph the areas of concern and contact the History Program, National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, sara.leach@va.gov, or 202-632-5894, jennifer.perunko@va.gov or 202-632-5441 for further guidance.

Repainting should only be undertaken in months when the daily and nightly temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Paint will not adhere well to the metal if it is cold and will need several days to dry thoroughly. Do not apply paint when the relative humidity exceeds 85% or the metal surface temperature is above 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

DO NOT APPLY PAINT TO ANY OTHER TYPE OF METAL OR TO STONE.

Supplies Unless otherwise noted, the supplies needed for this task will be available at any hardware or home improvement store.

Protective Gear

Protective clothing including gloves Plastic sheeting, such as 4-mil clear polyethylene Blue painters tape Safety glasses

Application Equipment

Small natural-bristle painting brushes, including brushes small enough to reach all recessed areas of the metal element. These brushes should be labeled “paint” by cemetery staff, reserved for repainting metal only, and not used for other purposes. If the brush has a metal band, wrap it in painters, masking, or duct tape so there are no rough edges that could scratch the metal element or adjacent stone.

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National Cemetery Administration Metal Repainting Instructions 2

Dense sponges (e.g., make-up sponges), cut into small pieces (2” x 3”).

Paint removal equipment Brass bristle brushes Plastic paint scraper Sandpaper, 220 Steel wool

Paint

Check the treatment report for paint previously used or acquire paint that is similar in color and finish (glossy or matte).

The Direct to Metal (DTM) paints below may be appropriate for metal element of NCA monuments. They are available in glossy and matte black as well as metallics and in reduced VOC formulations. Two recommended paints are:

Rust-oleum Professional High Performance Enamel Sherwin Williams Protective and Marine Coatings Industrial Enamel

Lift equipment/ladders

Only use equipment that can rest securely on the ground without damaging the lawn. If necessary, you may need to lay plywood sheets down.

Do not allow equipment/ladders to touch the monument itself.

Other Supplies

Aluminum foil Paint stirring stick Permanent marker to label materials Clean plastic container with lid Paper towels Clean, dry cotton rags that have not been dried with fabric softener Mineral spirits or other Clean Up solvent recommended by in the paint manufacturer’s data sheet Plastic zippered bags

Cleaning Repainting metal elements should be carried out following annual monument maintenance cleaning. Information about cleaning materials and techniques are provided in the Monument/Memorial Maintenance Cleaning Instructions.

Surface Preparation Following maintenance cleaning, additional surface preparation is usually required to remove loose paint, oil, dust, grease and other contaminants. Use steel wool, brass bristle brush, or plastic scrapers to gently remove loose paint, corrosion, and contaminants. Lightly sand existing paint at the edges of the unpainted area to ensure good adhesion or the new paint. Consult the paint manufacturer’s data sheet for surface preparation requirements and application instructions.

National Cemetery Administration Metal Repainting Instructions 3

Allow the elements dry thoroughly before repainting. A clean rag or sponge can be used to blot water off, if necessary. It is critical that exposed metal is completely dry to prevent corrosion and to ensure paint adhesion.

Repainting Lay plastic sheeting on the ground around and under the area to be repainted.

Use blue painters tape to affix plastic sheeting to the monument to cover any stone or masonry areas that are in contact with the metal to be painted. If taped plastic sheeting is not secure enough on vertical surfaces, such as around plaques, tuck strips of aluminum foil between the plaque and the adjacent material, surrounding the plaque as best as possible.

Stir paint thoroughly, this is especially critical for metallic paints which include metal particles that settle.

Apply paint evenly, covering the edges of the area where repainting is needed. Add additional coats to adequately cover the area or to bring the surface of the repainting area to the same level of existing paint that surrounds it.

If raised letters or borders are painted in another color, lightly dip the dense sponge in paint and blot it on a rag so that the paint covers the sponge evenly and sparingly. Carefully dab the sponge on the raised areas. If paint mistakenly goes beyond the raised letters or borders, use a small brush to touch up with the background paint.

When paint is dry to touch, remove plastic sheeting. If paint has gotten on any adjacent stone, masonry, or metal remove with a clean rag and water, mineral spirits or other solvent recommended in the paint manufacturer’s data sheet.

Clean-up Refer to paint manufacturer’s data sheet for Clean Up instructions. Rinse out brushes in a small amount of mineral spirits or other recommended solvent in plastic container. Do this in an open, well-ventilated area away from the monument. Store brushes in zipper-lock bags to keep them clean and together. Label the bag to ensure that the brushes are only used for repainting. Close all paint containers securely. Store all repainting materials together so they are not used for any other purpose. Store mineral spirits or other solvent in a flammables storage cabinet.

Dispose of rags. Rags and containers that have come into contact with solvents are considered hazardous waste. Make arrangements for proper disposal.

Documentation On the attached form, note the date and staff member(s) that conducted the cleaning, and any issues that arose.

National Cemetery Administration Metal Repainting Instructions 4

Repainting Log

File this log in the monument’s permanent file and send one copy with any photographs you have taken to History Program, National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, sara.leach@va.gov, or 202-632-5894, jennifer.perunko@va.gov or 202-632-5441.

Date of Repainting

Name(s)/Title (s) of Persons Repainting

Issues of Concern, describe:

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