New Era Epoxy · Steel coating kit
Steel Coating KitDo it yourself, with the right system
Coating a trailer, gate or frame yourself? A kit only works when the prep and the system match the steel. Here is what to plan for, and how to ask us.
- Prep first
- Primer
- Topcoat
- Cure time
Tell us what you are coating and send a photo. A free quote starts there.
What a steel coating kit needs
A kit that skips any of these is a can of paint with a nicer label.
Surface prep supplies
Wire wheels, abrasives and cleaner, because the coating bonds to what you prepare.
A primer for bare steel
Bonds to clean metal and slows rust underneath.
A durable topcoat
Color, gloss and scuff resistance, ideally UV stable for outdoor steel.
Time to cure
Temperature and humidity decide when it can go back to work.
How a steel coating job goes
The same four steps on every piece, whatever the size.
Look at the steel
What it is, where it lives and how it fails today: rust, peeling paint, chemical splash, or bare metal that has not been protected yet.
Prepare the surface
Coatings hold or fail on the prep. Rust, mill scale, oil and old paint come off down to clean, profiled metal.
Prime
A primer goes on bare steel to bond to it and slow rust from starting underneath the finish.
Topcoat and cure
A hard, washable topcoat in the color you choose, left to cure fully before the steel goes back to work.
Have steel that needs coating?
Send a photo and a rough size. We'll tell you what it needs.
Kit or a finished job?
A kit suits small pieces and people who like the work. Large frames, trailers and anything you need done right the first time are often better handed over.
- Kits suit small jobsGates, brackets and a single small frame.
- Prep is the real workMost of the time goes into cleaning the steel.
- Be honest about timeTwo coats and a cure take longer than a weekend of rushing.
- Ask us either wayWe'll say which route suits your steel.
Steel coating by city
Choose your city for local details.
Steel coating in Houston
Towns we serve and what to send.
See more
Steel coating in Austin
Towns we serve and what to send.
See more
Steel coating in San Antonio
Towns we serve and what to send.
See moreMore steel we coat:
Questions about steel coating
What is in a steel coating kit?
A kit is built around a system: surface prep, a primer for bare steel and a topcoat. The right ones depend on the steel and where it lives.
Can I coat rusty steel myself?
Yes, if you remove the rust and loose paint first, down to clean metal. A coating over rust doesn't hold.
How much surface prep does steel need?
More than most people expect. Rust, scale, oil and old paint come off, then the metal is cleaned. It is usually most of the job.
Can I use a kit on a trailer or gate?
It can suit small to medium pieces. Large frames and anything heavy-use are often better handed to someone with the equipment.
How do I ask about a kit?
Call (832) 253-3211 or use the form on this page and tell us what you're coating. We'll point you to the right system.
Can New Era do the coating for me instead?
Yes. See the steel coating pages for trailers, ranch steel, steel buildings and fabricators.
Ready to get your steel coated?
Send what you have. Photos and a rough size are enough for a free quote.
