Can E-Track be Welded On and Can it Be Painted

Question:

Can this e-track be painted and welded onto a steel trailer?

asked by: Sean K

Expert Reply:

E-track such as # E19148 is zinc-coated steel. There are some special requirements before it can be painted. The first thing you will need to do is clean the track with water-based cleaner/degreaser to remove any of the oily film on the parts from the coating process.

Once clean you will need to use a water-based primer. Do not use a petroleum-based primer because the oil can interact with the zinc on the parts left over from the coating process.

And then you would use a water-based paint to finish.

Most paint companies like Krylon and Behr, and certainly others, make primers and paint for galvanized steel and zinc and they should be available at your local home improvement store. I would not get a 2 in 1 primer/paint because with separate layers of primer and then paint you will have that much more protection. And be sure not to skip the cleaning/degreasing step!

With that said welding zinc-coated steel requires someone with experience welding this type of metal. The zinc can give off toxic fumes. It would probably make sense to clean the track as described above then have it welded into place, and then paint it.

expert reply by: Michael H